Equipment repairs, legal bills put strain on Dover's budget
DOVER — Council approved more than $500,000 in supplemental appropriations Monday to pay for a variety of expenses, including equipment repairs and mounting legal fees from various lawsuits the city is involved in.
Auditor Nicole Stoldt told council that she had to increase appropriations by $48,000 in the mayor's office because the city is paying the salary and benefits of two mayors.
Mayor Richard Homrighausen has been suspended until theft in office charges against him are resolved, but he continues to receive his salary. At the same time, Interim Mayor Shane Gunnoe is receiving the same salary at Homrighausen.
The auditor allocated $75,000 to pay for the city's legal fees. It is defending itself against several suits filed by Homrighausen, as well as an ongoing lawsuit filed by Dover Chemical Corp.
"We have an abundance of legal fees, of course," Stoldt said. "So I had to increase it until we get through this next round of litigation the city has against them."
The street department will be receiving an additional $35,000 because some vehicles have needed exhaust and undercarriage repairs. City officials chose to repair them rather than replace them because of the difficulty in finding new vehicles for purchase.
An additional $50,000 is being allocated for street lighting. The city is having problems with lights at the ball fields at the city park. Many of the lights are 25 years old. They're cracked and keeping blowing out, she said.
So the city is going to start replacing them.
Gunnoe noted that the lights are expensive, but they should last for 30 years. They will use less electricity and will pay for themselves over time.
Stoldt said that the city may have to change its master capital allocation and put more money in the general fund if things continue has they have.
"The money tree is getting pretty bare," she said. "So we're going to have to be very vigilant from here on out on what we're doing."
During the mayor's report, Gunnoe reported on numerous activities in the city:
• On June 2, a fiver-person crew went to the city of Hudson to provide mutual aid as the result of damage from a recent storm. The crew assisted Hudson employees with power restoration and provided three bucket trucks and one pickup truck in the effort.
• Work is ongoing on Betscher Avenue and Seventh Street regarding sidewalks and parking as part of the city's and Dover City Schools' Safe Route to School Grant.
• Gunnoe attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 1 for a new business, Local Broadcast Network, located at 127 N. Walnut St. Local Broadcast Network specializes in advertising across 27 different platforms.
• Demolition has begun for the walking path at Dover City Park. The stairs leading to the amphitheater are closed, and, due to construction, Pool Road will be reduced to one lane.
• There will be a Chocolate Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Dover through 25 downtown merchants and "Sweet Stops." Proceeds will benefit the Canal Town Book Festival. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at the Dover Public Library, The Emporium and Magic Mugs.
• Last week, the School Safety Task Force (Gunnoe, Councilwoman Sandy Moss, Police Chief Paul Bantum and fire Lt. Brian Stewart) met with representatives from Dover City Schools to work on strategic planning for the school district's ongoing safety needs.
• The city now has a Facebook page — City of Dover, Ohio Municipal Government.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Equipment repairs, legal bills put strain on Dover's budget
