Proposed capital spending for Macedonia shows $1.2M for roads, streets
MACEDONIA – City Council got the 2023 budget process under way Sept. 23 with department heads discussing anticipated capital expenditures. A handful of other meetings are slated before the budget is adopted near the end of the year.
The five-year capital plan shows that about $4.9 million could be spent in 2023, although that figure could change as the budget discussions progress.
The breakdown shows the following expected expenditures: Streets and sidewalks, $3.18 million; fire department, $265,000; police department, $74,000; service department, $335,000; rec center, $30,000; buildings and land, $855,000; and parks/rec, $222,500.
The roads program expects to account for about $1.12 million of the streets/sidewalks amount.
Major improvements are planned at the Highland/Valley View and four corners intersections and on Empire Parkway, Valley View and Walters roads, Golden Link Boulevard and City Hall’s emergency access road.
The service department plans to buy a dump truck ($100,000), a tandem-axle hook-lift truck ($150,000) and two tow motors ($75,000), while the police department plans to buy dash cams ($21,500) and spend $11,000 on 911 system upgrades and $25,000 on weapons.
Boiler/chiller/HVAC unit upgrades are pegged at $628,500, with remodeling/renovations of buildings at $125,000, general upgrades (mostly at ballfields) at $50,000 and parking lot lighting at $25,000.
The fire department plans to buy a utility pickup truck for about $55,000 and spend $75,000 on fire suppression, $25,000 on bay floor improvements and $20,000 on two ambulance cots.
About $30,000 is proposed for rec center exercise equipment, $50,000 for ballfield netting, $100,000 for trails and park facilities improvements and $60,000 for other Longwood Park ballfield improvements.
Parks-Rec director Jason Chadock said he has proposed building an outdoor splash pad for about $500,000 in 2026, but that amount could be revised or the project could be eliminated depending on Council’s wishes.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council approved Tax Increment Financing agreements for Optima Dermatology, Space Place and The Wave car wash. finance director John Veres said the local schools have favored the TIFs.
TIF arrangements dedicate tax increments within a defined district to finance the debt issued to pay for infrastructure projects.
The ordinances proclaim improvements at the three properties as being for a public purpose and allow the city to use service payments from the firms to improve the sites and nearby city roads.
The payments go to the city in lieu of the firms paying real estate taxes, and the local schools and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center will receive some real estate tax revenue and a portion of the payments.
Optima Dermatology is being built on Golden Link Boulevard off Route 8, Space Place will be between North Freeway Drive and the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks and the car wash will be between KFC and the Key Inn.
Council accepted the amounts and rates as determined by the Summit County Budget Commission and authorized the necessary tax levies for 2023. The city must send its approval to the county auditor by Nov. 3.
Veres said 7.9 mills will generate $2.14 million, about the same as this year. The breakdown is as follows: Current expenses general (5.07 mills), $681,352; inside millage general (2.53 mills), $1.3 million; and police pension (0.3 mill), $154,485.
Police Chief Jon Golden said he continues to look for a part-time school resource officer, while IT director Kyle Collins noted the city’s new website was to go live as of Sept. 27. “We want to get the SRO position filled as soon as possible,” Golden said.
Firefighters Local 3947 will sponsor a pig roast Oct. 1 from 4 to 11 p.m. at the Northfield Center VFW pavilion. Tickets are $35 each, and sideboards can be purchased. A disc jockey will be on hand. For tickets, call Dave Morris at 330-310-7528.
Contact the newspaper at newsleader@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Proposed capital spending for Macedonia shows $1.2M for roads, streets
