Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Finance Committee met March 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

FINANCE/BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING

MARCH 23, 2024

The finance committee met on March 23, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. for the budget session workshop. Present: Chairman Vanbruwaene, Alderperson Bredeman, Sharp, Connor, Jenkins, D. White, T. White, Gehrig, Mayor Hughes, City Clerk Byrnes, Police Chief Cooper, Superintendent of Public Works Sutherland, ED Director Beadles, Office Manager Passage.

Chairman Vanbruwaene called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. He stated the purpose of the meeting was to review the potential Budget for fiscal year 24-25.

Office Manager Passage gave an overview of the proposed budget for fiscal year 24-25. A review of the potential areas of revenue that increased and decreased was held. The increase in wages, benefits, and utilities have been addressed in the proposed budget as submitted by supervisors.

Office Manager Passage explained that projects are not considered as operating expenses. All projects must be brought before the council for approval for consideration before they can proceed. The list of the projects were reviewed. A review and discussion of the cash flow regarding the grants that the city will be receiving was held.

A discussion was held regarding the potential use of the ARPA Funds.

Chairman Vanbruwaene gave a presentation regarding the need for a water rate increase. He recommended that the fee structure be changed from a declining rate to a fixed rate and the base amount increasing. He is currently working with data to make a potential recommendation. A discussion was held regarding the debt certificates and the amount needed for the payoff, which would be in 2026 and how that would affect the fee on the water bill.

A discussion was held regarding the water/sewer operation and maintenance fund. This fund will be using revenue from the Improvement and Extension Account to help fund the expenditures. ARPA Funds are potentially funding $302,000 of water/sewer improvements.

The general consensus of the committee was to have Chairman Vanbruwaene continue with the analysis of the data and make a recommendation regarding water rates.

The general consensus of the committee was to present the 24-25 budget at the first meeting in April for approval.

Chairman Vanbruwaene thanked all present for their work on the proposed budget.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:56 a.m.

https://www.cityofchillicotheil.org/government/meeting_agendas___minutes/council_committee_minutes/index.php