Boardman official: We'll need reserves to cover '04 budget

The township's three departments will have their capital allotments reduced.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Township trustees plan to make spending cuts in all departments, but will still need to dip into the township's reserve funds to continue operations at current levels.
Bill Leicht, township clerk, has told trustees that spending is outpacing revenue annually.
"Right now, we are spending $2 million more than we are bringing in. I am trying to narrow that gap," he said.
The township has a $6.5 million reserve. Leicht projects that, by the end of the year, however, between $1.3 million and $1.5 million of those reserve funds will be used to cover the 2004 budget.
The trustees, Leicht and the four township department heads came together Thursday afternoon to discuss the township's financial outlook. The talks will be ongoing as officials look at the 2005 budget and beyond.
Three plans given
Earlier this year, Leicht had given trustees three plans to save money over the next several years.
Trustee Elaine Mancini said trustees are leaning toward a plan that would call for a freeze on any new hiring, a five percent reduction in controllable costs, and a reduction in each departments' capital allotment.
In the past, each of the three departments -- road, police and fire -- would receive $200,000 every year as a capital budget. That number in 2005 will be reduced to $100,000 for each department.
Leicht said the township also will save an additional $750,000 with the 5-percent reduction in controllable costs. Examples of such costs are supplies, training, overtime, fuel and anything without a fixed price or under collective bargaining agreements.
Leicht told trustees fuel usage is a major area to look at for cost-cutting efforts. He said the township's fuel costs have gone from $65,769 in 2002 to $117,498 this year.
Some of the increased cost can be attributed to rising gas prices, but Leicht said there are areas in which the township can cut back. He said township officials should take a look at the number of employees who take cars home. Those called out from home least often should leave the cars parked, he added.
Leicht said the fire department routinely sends three cars out to each vehicle accident. He said officials have to look at whether that practice is necessary or if one or two cars would be enough.
"I would challenge each department to come up with means to conserve on gas consumption," he said. "If you look after the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves."
Other measures
Leicht said other things will be done to control spending as well.
The township recently spent between $1.5 million and $2 million dollars of reserve funds building a new fire station on South Avenue and renovating another station on Shields Road. The main fire station on U.S. Route 224, Leicht said, is in need of renovation. Because of budgetary constraints, however, that work will be postponed to some later date.
Leicht said officials also need to take a serious look at the fire department's role as first responders for medical emergencies. He said first-responder medical calls are a considerable portion of the fire department's annual budget.
Even with the spending reductions, Leicht said the township will still need to dip into reserve funds to maintain operations at current levels.
Leicht said township officials have not gone to the public for additional funds in 10 years, and the goal is to make current funds and money held in reserve last at least five more years before a request for more money is made to township residents.
jgoodwin@vindy.com