BUCYRUS — Bucyrus City Council returned to the computer screens for its online meeting Tuesday evening.

A request by Bucyrus City Council President Kurt Fankhauser to begin devising a plan to open city hall to the public again was halted by Mayor Jeff Reser.

“We are considering it, but it is a little premature,” Reser said.

He said not only is Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke battling COVID-19, he said there is another active case in the police department.

The mayor then thanked teachers for their service as Tuesday was Thank a Teacher Day and he reminded residents that it was Giving Tuesday for local non-profits through the Community Foundation of Crawford County. The event continues Wednesday.

According to city auditor Joyce Schifer, the city is down $84,602.16 in withholding taxes for April as compared to April 2019 and that will not be recouped.

“We are down $91,206.83 in business returns and $208,613.81 in individual returns,” Schifer said.

The loss of revenue for April totals $384,422.80.

“Since revenues were up in January, February and March, our year to date loss is at 28 percent,” Schifer said. “Since the tax return filing deadline has been extended to July 15, that revenue will be delayed. As compared to last year, only 39 percent of businesses have filed with 61 percent still needing to file. Only 28 percent of Individual tax returns have been filed so we still have 72 percent that need to file.”

She said she has identified several ways to cut costs within the current budget and the city is working toward participating in a program through the federal government in which city employees will work a 32-hour work week but be paid for their other eight hours with federal funds.

Also during the meeting, council member Mark Makeever made a motion for the city to allow the Bucyrus Fire Department to apply for a SAFER grant to begin creating emergency medical services through the fire department.

Council member Lisa Alsept seconded the motion and it was voted on unanimously by all council members. It was then referred to the finance committee to create a resolution. The committee meets during the council’s joint committee meetings Thursday at 6 p.m. A special council meeting will occur Thursday to vote on the resolution since the deadline for the grant is May 15.

Council member Kevin Myers, who also is director of the Bratwurst Festival, referred the street closures request for the festival that is scheduled in August.

Resolutions for the city to participate in the CHIP grant program and to deed a land parcel on West Mary Street to the city’s CIC were approved by council as emergencies.

Letters were read by two residents on Myers Street who are having property dispute issues with another resident. They are seeking a resolution through the city’s current zoning and property laws.

The next council meeting is May 19 at 7 p.m.