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Boardman sets $22.3M appropriations budget
BOARDMAN
The township board of trustees approved a $22.3 million appropriations budget for 2016 that trims spending.
Trustees at a meeting Monday unanimously voted to approve setting 2016 spending for the township at $22,268,905; of that amount, $16,487,111 is what the township is projected to spend after subtracting transfers between funds.
Projected spending for this year is down by about $1.8 million from last year’s budget, in which the township projected spending of about $18.3 million.
Township officials noted the budget cuts, and characterized the budget process as one they’ve worked to streamline in response to cuts in funding from the state.
“We’ve had to cut quite a bit from our budget,” said Trustee Larry Moliterno. “It’s good that we were able to cut the budget, but it’s come with a cost.”
He said cuts have been to items such as equipment purchases and holding back on some hires.
Cuts in state funding to the township is an issue that township officials regularly discuss during public meetings. Last year, Moliterno testified before the Ohio Senate Ways and Means Committee to argue against the phasing out of state reimbursements to local governments and school districts for revenue lost due to changes to the tangible personal property and public utility tangible property taxes.
Under a proposal initiated by Gov. John Kasich’s administration, Boardman’s reimbursements are set to end after fiscal year 2016. The township previously received $576,441 in tangible personal-property reimbursements from the state.
“Everyone who lives in Ohio knows that the governor has balanced his budget and built his war chest on the backs of local government,” said fiscal officer William Leicht at Monday’s meeting, adding that it has forced the township to become more creative and collaborative to save money.
The fiscal office is working to put together a more detailed breakdown of the 2016 budget.
In other news, the township likely will begin advertising this week to find a new zoning inspector.
Zoning Inspector Sarah Gartland reportedly resigned from the position last week after almost three years on the job. Township Administrator Jason Loree said Gartland did not cite a specific reason for her resignation.