New ballpark lighting proposed
By Bert Lehman
The Clintonville Finance Committee continues to discuss which projects and purchases should be included in the 2020-24 capital improvement plan.
At the committee’s June 10 meeting, committee member Jim Supanich questioned the $1.5 million listed in the CIP for an outdoor swimming pond facility, asking if the city knows where the funds will come from.
“The goal is to try to start the process at some point next year so that within a couple of years we can have it done,” City Administrator Sharon Eveland said. “It may take some time to get funding.”
She said the odds of the city having $1.5 million available next year for a swimming facility is slim.
“It’s more just to kind of get it out there in front of you guys because we know that the goal is to in a few years have that there,” Eveland said.
Supanich asked if a significant amount of the savings the city realized in last year’s operational budget would have to be used to pay for capital programs already approved.
Eveland said as long as the current road projects do not go way over budget, and the city realizes the revenue sources that it has budgeted for, the city will not need to transfer additional funds to the capital fund.
Upon hearing that information, Supanich recommended new lighting for one of the ball diamonds at Bucholtz Park, which has been in the “delayed or cancelled projects” list, be added to the 2020 project list.
“This lighting system is so old that the light bulbs are obsolete,” Supanich said. “I would seriously like to see it considered when finding money next year, to move that back in to the capital program.”
Eveland said that project would cost around $90,000.
“We might not be able to afford it next year, based on everything else, but I’d really like to have it get in to the at least considered, and not delayed and canceled,” Supanich said.
Supanich also questioned the CIP not having funds set aside for maintenance for city buildings.
Eveland said $50,000 was placed in the CIP for 2021 for building maintenance.
Supanich also recommended the city research the usage of its mechanical equipment and vehicles. He questioned the CIP including funds to replace a plow vehicle in 2024 when he was informed the city has a spare plow truck.
“From my end of it, if we have a spare plow truck, I don’t know why we would have one,” Supanich said. “Maybe they need it, but I think we need to look into that more to make sure there’s a reason we’re buying the vehicle we’re buying and that the vehicle we’re buying fits the need of what we’re trying to do.”
Eveland said she agreed that the city needs to verify that it is purchasing equipment and vehicles that it actually needs, as well as using the equipment efficiently.
The CIP will continue to be discussed at future finance committee meetings.
“We will have a few more chances to talk about this, but I think it’s important that we do this gradually and not try to ask all these questions in one night,” said Mike Hankins, finance committee chairman.
Eveland said city department heads will present their budget needs at future meetings.