GALION — Galion City Council conducted a fruitful meeting Tuesday evening. Many pieces of legislation were passed to prepare for the new year.
The legislation passed included the first annual budget since the city emerged from fiscal emergency earlier this year and was compiled without the State Auditor of Ohio’s involvement.
During discussion of the budget, City Auditor Brian Treisch explained some major changes were needed and more than 70 line items were changed because a reworking of insurance for city employees resulted in $400,000 in savings.
He asked council to substitute the revised budget for a third reading. Council agreed and passed the budget unanimously.
In previous meetings, the retirement of the city’s assistant law director, David W. Keller, was announced and approved. To fill the gap left by Keller’s retirement, council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing the city to enter into a contract with the Crawford County Prosecutor’s office.
Law Director Thomas Palmer explained there is to be one person assigned for prosecutorial services for Galion for continuity issues.
Council approved the safety-service director to apply for grants from FEMA for runway lights for the airport, and a MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) grant for new radio equipment that would allow all Crawford County fire departments to communicate.
Both ordinances were moved to their final reading for expediency and unanimously approved.
The next Galion City Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.