BUCYRUS—The Bucyrus City Council Finance Committee met Thursday night. Finance Committee Chairman Dan Wirebaugh asked for a motion to appropriate the remaining funding of $90,000 needed to complete the Splashpad, which the Kiwanis Club will repay the city over the next three years.

Interim Law Director Brian Gernert told the council he was drafting a promissory note between the service organization and the city. Included is a requirement that the Kiwanis Club secure a performance bond. According to the proposed promissory note, the Kiwanis Club will agree to make three annual payments of $30,000. The first payment will be due on December 1, 2024, with subsequent amounts owing each December through 2026. A five percent interest charge will be applied if the final installment is unmet. The balance is subject to late fees as well. Herbert noted this arrangement is subject to the approval of the Kiwanis board.

Councilman Kevin Myers told the Mayor his constituents asked him some tough questions, so he needed to ask the Mayor those questions.

Before directing his questions to Mayor Reser, Myers expressed his respect for civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and appreciated their efforts.

“I’m going to ask these questions with all due respect. In your statement to the media, you said, “Do we want to use the ARPA funds to cover the overtime for the fire department and safety forces?” How can we sit here and do this right now and answer to the citizens who have given an outcry of support?” Myers asked.

“It’s going to come back.” Reser replied.

Myers suggested that instead of lending money to the Kiwanis Club for the Splashpad, the council used $70,000.00 to open the pool;

“We’re not a bank. This is money we need to utilize for what we’ve got to do.” Myers said.

“So, you’re going to vote against the Splashoad then.” Reser said.

Myers tried to explain that he had more questions. He did not get a chance to ask them.

Reser addressed the ARPA dollars, saying that, so far, all of the 1.2 million dollars has been spent on safety forces.

“That money should’ve been earmarked (as much as possible) for improvements in the community. At the end of the day, over ninety percent of that money is going to go to safety forces. We can afford to give ten percent of it as an investment for these kids that want to do a Splashpark. That’s all I’m going to answer,” Reser said.

Myers said he understood. He reiterated that he was asking the questions with respect.

Myers relayed the points a constituent made. If safety services are not supported, insurance rates go up, businesses won’t locate in Bucyrus, and people won’t want to live here.

“It’s a quality of life issue. It’s no better or no worse than what we’re doing with these beautification projects and these legacy projects.

It all goes in the same basket. We have to look at it as similar,” Myers said.

Reser referred to a $20,000 tree program. He told the council that the city has to rely on service organizations to maintain the parks. “We under fund our parks. We have to have a balance. If you’re going to have people living here, you have to give them a reason to live here,” Reser said.

Myers said that though they differ on where to spend money, the funds are short.

“Why are the funds short? Because we had to pay $300,000 on back firefighters pay that YOU voted on, we recommended you not vote on. Now we are $300,000 short in the general fund. We told you the dollars were going to be short, so if you want, we can have that discussion,” Reser said.

“I don’t want to sling mud; that’s not why we are here,” Myers said.

Reser reiterated that the $90,000 is not even ten percent of the ARPA money. He reminded the council the money would come back in a few years.

“We have an opportunity to do something really nice that’s not going to cost the city a cent. We’re just going to have to front a little bit of money. I think it’s a wise thing to do,” Reser said.

President of the local firefighters union, Jeremy Gillam, took issue with Reser’s comments that none of the ARPA funds (so far) was reinvested in the community.

“Myself and a lot of other citizens would beg to differ with you. Saying that you’re taking over EMS at a perfect time when we were getting government funds was probably the biggest investment of your political career. So for you to just sit there and say…

(interrupted by Reser)

“You guys have rave reviews. There’s no argument about that at all,” Reser said.

Regarding the opening of the Aumiller Pool, Reser was asked for an update on whether or not the YMCA could run the pool.

“The YMCA declined. They don’t have the financial wherewithal to do it.” Reser said.

Reser told the committee that with emergency appropriations, the Splashpad would be open by the end of May:

“You can all come out for a photo opportunity. This will be huge for the city.” Reser said.
Councilman Brenton Potter said: “A photo opportunity for a Splashpad with an empty pool in the background.. (interrupted)

“You got $70,000 you want to loan us?” Reser snapped.

Potter asked why the council couldn’t use $70,000 of that money and open the pool.

Reser again told the committee the Splashpad will be paid for in the long run. He said the first year of maintenance is covered. After that, care will be around $1600 per year.

Reser indicated the pool could reopen if the safety forces levy passes and the out-of-town tax credit expires. Stress would be off the general fund.

The Finance Committee voted to appropriate $90,000 in ARPA funds and a promissory note between the city and the Kiwanis Club.

Kevin Myers was the sole opposition note. The entire city council will make the final decision.