BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—After nearly three hours of committee discussions on Thursday evening, the Bucyrus City Finance Committee convened to address pressing financial concerns facing the city. Finance Chairman Kevin Myers outlined several key topics for consideration, including the renewal of a street levy, potential options for reducing salaries and expenses in the Police and Fire Departments, and the future of the out-of-town tax worker credit.
Despite previously vowing to avoid changes to the out-of-town workers tax credit, it seems that it may be the only option after presentations from the city’s police and fire chiefs.
Both Police Chief Neil Assenheimer and Fire Chief Chad Schwemley addressed the committee, highlighting the implications of potential budget cuts on their departments. Chief Schwemley emphasized that the fire department’s union contract includes stipulations that limit operational changes, warning that a proposed 10% staff reduction would severely compromise public safety. He stated that reducing the fire staff from its current levels would leave just five personnel to cover 24-hour shifts, which he described as “devastating.”
The fire department currently holds an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of four, signifying a “fair” level of fire protection. Schwemley noted that maintaining this rating would be impossible with further manpower cuts, potentially leading to increased response times and more reliance on volunteer fire departments.
Chief Assenheimer echoed Schwemley’s concerns, explaining that a similar 10% reduction in the police force would result in the loss of one dispatcher and two officers. He pointed out that the department has successfully kept crime rates low despite operating with minimal staff. In 2023, Bucyrus reported no robberies, a significant improvement compared to 2012-2013, when the department was fully staffed and experienced 22 robberies and 340 burglaries.
Assenheimer expressed his reluctance to reduce staffing further, stating, “I can’t go lower. I’m not going to put an officer out alone to patrol the city with no backup nearby.” He also noted that rumors of layoffs and possible elimination of the Police department have negatively impacted officer morale, with previous layoffs causing experienced police officers and firefighters to seek more secure employment elsewhere. Committee Chairman Kevin Myers was quick to inform the police chief that there had never been any discussion in his committee about eliminating the police department in favor of contracting with the sheriff’s department. Assenheimer assured Myers that he had not heard it in the council chambers but he had heard it a few times elsewhere.
Discussions also touched on the feasibility of employing part-time firefighters and officers. Chief Schwemley highlighted the high costs associated with equipping part-time firefighters, estimating that it would take 18 part-time firefighters to make up for the duties of one full-time firefighter. The cost to fully equip one firefighter with the appropriate gear is approximately $5,000. There’s also a question of room to store the gear, which is not available at the current fire station. The costs of training and equipping part-time officers and dispatchers usually lead to them leaving for full-time positions at other departments and for better pay. In addition, it costs about $600 to custom fit a vest for each officer as well as the cost of a firearm for each officer.
As a result of these discussions, the committee’s most viable option appears to be a review of the out-of-town tax worker credit. Bucyrus City Auditor Kay Lewis and Clerk Kelly Schimpf presented potential revenue impacts of modifying or eliminating the tax credit, which could range from $325,000 for a 1.75% credit reduction to over $1 million if the credit is entirely eliminated.
Chairman Myers emphasized the need for careful consideration of these options, acknowledging a projected $300,000 budget shortfall for 2025. He reassured the committee that there is no immediate rush to make decisions but underscored the importance of finding solutions to bridge the budget gap. Any adjustments to the out-of-town tax worker credit would not be reflected until May 2026.
Crawford County Now will continue to monitor the Bucyrus City Finance Committee as they move forward.