Officials to meet before next budget reading

The 2006 budget is contingent on the sale of the city's water treatment plant.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- City council gave a first reading to the proposed 2006 budget, but wants to meet with department heads and Financial Director John Leskovyansky before it goes any further.
So Council President William Vansuch scheduled half-hour meetings with the fire, police, water and street departments, respectively, beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 14.
The proposed budget has total estimated revenue for all funds of $6.2 million, including about $2 million in the critical general operating fund. Those amounts compare with $6.8 million in total expenditures, including $2.5 million in the general fund, leaving an estimated deficit in that fund of $478,320, Leskovyansky said.
The finance director said balancing the proposed 2006 general fund budget depends on transferring $1,031,214 from the infrastructure fund to the general fund to pay accumulated deficits, the 2005 deficit, encumbrances and past-due bills for the general and other funds so the city can end the year in the black.
Contingent on deal
The whole deal is contingent on finalizing of the sale of the city's water treatment plant to Aqua Ohio, which council approved last month and which would immediately put $3 million into the infrastructure fund, Leskovyansky said.
The proposed transfers would put money back into various accounts from which it was borrowed, including the State Issue II, Area Agency on Aging, State Highway, land revitalization, water and other funds.
The budget scenario was recommended by the state Financial Planning and Supervision Committee, which is overseeing Campbell's finances while it is in fiscal emergency, Leskovyansky said.
Also, the transfers must receive approval of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and Ohio Tax Commissioner, according to the ordinance.
alcorn@vindy.com