ROSSFORD – After years of economic struggle, that show no signs of abating, city officials got a vote of
confidence from Wall Street recently.
The city’s bond rating has been upgraded from A-plus, to AA-minus, Mayor Bill Verbosky told city council
Monday.
"It’s a very great accomplishment given the tough budget times," he said.
Many other entities, City Administrator Ed Ciecka noted, are being put "on watch list."
The rating agency specifically was impressed with the financial management procedures the city, with
council approval, that Rossford put in place. Those were deemed, Ciecka said to be "strong."

The mayor praised Ciecka, Finance Director Karen Freeman and council’s budget committee for keeping tight
reins on the budget.
Verbosky said that the city will face a 25-percent cut in its local government funds from the state under
the provisions of the budget presented by Gov. John Kasich.
The city had already budgeted for a 25-percent cut, so it should be all right for this budget year,
though deeper cuts pose a further challenge next year.
Ciecka reported that the city’s property tax receipts saw an uptick in the past year. The city has also
landed state grants.
The largest was an $210,474 energy efficiency block grant to upgrade the street lighting from the
boulevard to Eagle Point Road, improve traffic signaling and school zone lighting through the American
Recovery Act money through the Ohio Department of Development.
The lights will be LED and must be American made.
Ciecka said the city will seek another energy efficiency grant to upgrade air conditioning and heating
units in the city offices.
The city also got a $9,100 grant to remove 32 ash trees from city property or right of way.