G. Rapids approves budget

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GRAND RAPIDS – Village council on Monday
approved $2.4 million in appropriations for its 2014 budget.The $2,380,450 appropriated for 2014
reflects an $145,350 increase over the village’s 2013 appropriations.The appropriations were approved as
an "emergency," as opposed to being given three readings, during Monday’s council meeting. It
was passed as an emergency in order to submit to the Wood County Auditor’s Office by the end of the
year.Capital improvements and maintenance/upkeep of the town hall make-up the largest increase in
planned expenditures. Council members agreed to earmark an additional $31,000 for the town hall, $36,000
more for capital improvements to land and buildings and $21,000 for capital improvements to village
streets.Decreases in appropriations include: reduction in salary for the village administrator (Chad
Hoffman will begin working part-time in 2014), reduction in capital improvement money set aside for
sewers and a decrease in employee benefit costs from both the sewer and water departments.Also at
Monday’s meeting, council members, by a 5-1 vote, with Curt Williams voting against it, agreed to reduce
council meetings to one per month beginning in 2014.Meetings will now be alternated between the fourth
and second Monday of each month. The Monday formerly occupied by a second council meeting will then be
reserved for committee meetings.The matter drew much discussion at council’s previous meeting with
Williams calling the proposal "counterproductive."Council also approved plans for a new event
in the village. "Light up the Night" will be Dec. 14 from 5-9 p.m. The event, to be held in
conjunction with the fire department’s visit from Santa, will include a parade, decorations, holiday
karaoke, fire pits for roasting s’mores, musical entertainment and downtown shopping.

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