Goshen Common Council passes budget ordinance

Sep. 19—GOSHEN — Goshen's proposed budget for 2024 has come in at more than $75 million.

The council unanimously passed the budget ordinance on first reading Monday night.

Passage came after a presentation and thorough overview of Ordinance 5164, which essentially verifies that the council has done a first read of the appropriations and tax rates for the proposed 2024 budget. Amber Nielsen, of BakerTilly, the firm which is working to develop the budget with the council and with Mayor Gina Leichty, began the discussion with a PowerPoint presentation.

From there, the council went on to discuss "The Big Four" funds: General, Motor Vehicle Highway and MVH Restricted (technically two separate but incorporated as one), Parks, and Public Safety-Local Income Tax (PS-LOIT). These account for 93% of both the city's payroll and benefits as well as supplies purchased, 50% of services and charges, and 15% of the city's capital budget.

For 2024, the proposed budget totals $75,059,462, representing an overall growth of 5.2%.

The meeting was well attended, with a number of Goshen police officers and firefighters as well as others present.

Following the BakerTilly presentation, the council went through each individual department or program budget: mayor, clerk-treasurer, legal, court, police, fire, community relations, technology and others.

With respect to technology, Leichty indicated she wants there to be a separate Information Technology department for the city, with current IT employees, now in engineering, to be moved to the new department and two additional positions created. This stems in part from the ongoing issue of cyberattacks, which City Clerk-Treasurer Richard Aguirre said take place against the city on a "daily basis."

"This year it increased about 20%," Aguirre said of the increase the city pays in cyber insurance. "We've been lucky that we have not suffered any losses from cyberattacks."

Following Monday's first read, a second read of the budget is set for Oct. 2, prior to approval.

"After our introductory session, we will have two weeks until the next hearing, giving you additional time to ask questions about the proposed budget and providing time for further public comment and feedback," Leichty said in a letter drafted prior to Monday's meeting. "Of course, an optional third hearing is tentatively scheduled on Oct. 30 if necessary."

In addition to the approval of Ordinance 5164, Goshen resident Dallas Barkman addressed the council about incident which took place over the weekend during the Hispanic Heritage Festival, including tire tracks made in downtown Goshen, and well as a reported disturbance at Kroger across from Rogers Park.

"I feel there should be more security," Barkman said.

District 2 Council member Doug Nisley concurred with Barkman, saying that the parking lot at Kroger looked to be "on fire."

"I don't think the respect was there enough from the party-goers," Nisley said, noting trash that was found at the scene.

The festival was not a city event, but the city let event planners use city streets and other property.

Leichty noted that the city has since been in touch with event leaders about what happened, and that it should be viewed as a "learning opportunity."

"We're certainly aware of some of the issues that need to be addressed," she said.

To view a recording of this meeting, go to youtube.com/watch?v=pgdCFOsR0hU or call 309-205-3325.

The next council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at council chambers at 111 E. Jefferson St.

Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at steve.wilson@goshennews.com.