GALION — Much like many meetings right now, Galion City Council live-streamed its meeting for those who wanted to watch but were not essential to the meeting.
Council passed multiple ordinances regarding finances during the meeting.
One of the ordinances was Ordinance No. 2020-13 which amended Ordinance No. 2019-85, which is permanent 2020 appropriations. The ordinance transferred funds ($3,400) within the health department funds to pay upcoming audits. The state department requested that health departments be audited separate now.
“A lot of us got letters taped to our doors (Tuesday) implying that the city of Galion is not doing enough for its citizens, and I think that the passage of this ordinance is an example that we have some confidence and that we are passionate in helping our citizens out and not waiting for the taxes to be paid—we are going forward with this. I think this is an example of the city giving some consideration to its citizens,” council member Dr. Thomas Fellner said.
For Ordinance 2020-14, it stated that it also amended 2019-85 by appropriating funds from unappropriated to the port authority fund. The port authority originally was asking for $150,000 as an operating budget. Council, however, amended the ordinance to allow for only $75,000 due to the economic uncertainty that is going on right now. Council is looking to hopefully give the port authority the other $75,000 at a later date.
“I know we made the port authority, and I know in certain situations here that it’s nobody’s fault, but the $150,000 is pretty high—I think if we gave you enough money to pay what you have incurred until we see how this whole situation in the world is going to play out, it might be better. That’s a lot, now knowing and with utilities, people laid off, and taxes, we just don’t know what is going to happen,” council member Mark Triplett said.
Council also passed Ordinance No. 2020-15 that adopts a credit card policy for the city of Galion.
Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary was not too keen on the idea, stating that he didn’t really see the need for it and that nothing good came from them having a credit card before.
It was decided there would be a $5,000 maximum charge limit put on the card to avoid an individual abusing the card.
Ordinance No. 2020-16 requests the trustees of the Egbert M. Freese Foundation to distribute income therefrom to the city of Galion. $55,000 is allocated to pool improvements, $49,765 to Heise Park improvements, $140,170 to East Park improvements, $60,894 to Park Square, $85,000 to PECO Park, and $75,000 to be used by the Galion City Schools for its projects.
Resolution No. 2020-7 was passed, and it appointed Shellie Burgin to the Galion City Health Board.