ROSSFORD — City council has approved a $19 million budget for 2023.
“I think the most exciting thing going into 2023 is the new sources of income tax we’re seeing, from the Crossroads, and all the development in the 795 corridor, it’s allowing us to focus on things we haven’t been able to focus on for a few decades,” Councilman Chris Heban, member of the finance and insurance committee and chair of the economic development committee, said in a followup interview.
The budget was approved unanimously, by all present. Finance chair Robert Ruse was absent, but excused. As chair of the finance and insurance committee he was part of the 3-0 passage of the budget out of committee.
The 2022 budget was $17.59 million, which came in at $20.06 million with final spending numbers.
“We have a lot of exciting projects going on. Not only are we going to finish the Deimling Road-Lime City Road project, but we are also going to rebuild Windsor Drive, within the city limits, we’re also going to look at Hoffman Avenue, between Windsor Drive and Jennings Road,” City Administrator Allyson Murray said. “Our services continue to be outstanding. I know we are looking at a couple of police cruisers and we’re looking at new equipment for the fire department.”
Heban read the minutes of the meeting, noting that the budget was overall thorough and a detailed review was given to the committee, followed by little debate.
Councilman Greg Marquette requested that funding be approved for improvements of Veterans Park. He would like to see that considered before the 125th anniversary celebration. The administration agreed to take the issue up.
Heban further listed off road improvements, the residential streets, such as Windsor Drive.
“That’s roughly a $2 million dollar project, with drainage improvements, curbs and sidewalks, widening the street,” Heban said.
He also pointed out a little tax history for Rossford.
“Rossford has 100% tax reciprocity with the surrounding municipalities,” Heban said. “If you live in Rossford, but work in Toledo, 100% of your income tax goes to the City of Toledo, and vice versa. If you live in Toledo and work in Rossford, since we have that reciprocity, we get all of that income tax if you work here.”
The challenge for council, when Heban was elected five years ago, was finding the funding to do things like improve safety services, beautification programs and infrastructure.
“The answer was jobs,” Heban said. “Now that we’re seeing this huge influx of development, I think that it’s $300 million in development, over the last four years, that’s giving us that income tax revenue.”
He said that they are also now making the improvements to the downtown, pointing out the space by Billy V’s, on Superior Street, across from the Edward Ford Memorial Park. That lot will be the edge of one boundary for the new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
Also approved were resolutions amending the 2022 budget for transfers of funds between line items and with the transfer of funds for appropriations in the 2023 budget.
