MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon City Council approved a total of $59.6 million in appropriations for 2023 during its Monday, Jan. 23 meeting.
The city council spent hours last Saturday reviewing the appropriations before Monday night’s approval.
Council President Bruce Hawkins reminded constituents that this legislation was for appropriations and was not the budget.
Some of the appropriations include the general fund at $8.98 million, with the street department set at $1.02 million. Roads and bridges added another $2.3 million to the total. The Community Development Block Grant program was set at $1.28 million. Capital improvements for public buildings and land were set at $3.6 million. The total water fund appropriations were $6 million, with storm water utility adding another $1.4 million. Wastewater accounts for another $6.7 million of appropriations.
Salaries for the police and fire departments paid through a municipal income tax were established at $4.03 million. The police department’s other appropriations total $1.84 million, with the fire department’s total set at $4.56 million in multiple accounts.
City OKs contract with Knox County IT
The city council approved a three-year contract with Knox County for information technology services.
"We had some difficulties recently, and after discussions with the court and discussing it with other administration members, Mr. Dzyk has negotiated a contract that will have the county be our IT provider,” Law Director Rob Broeren said.
The county will provide a new employee based in the city with access to other members of the Knox IT staff if needed. Knox County IT also will assist with long-term planning to make the city’s network more robust and to protect the city and its data, he said.
Mount Vernon suffered a data breach on Dec. 19 when ransomware was installed through a remote access tool used by the city’s IT provider. The municipal court, the police department, the auditor’s office and public works were affected, the city reported.
North Sandusky sidewalks, Catherine Street utility projects OK’d
The city will advertise for bids to construct sidewalks on the east side of North Sandusky Street, including the last two blocks connecting to Heartland Commerce Park, without leaving out any sections, City Engineer Brian Ball said. It was one of two approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects.
The other CDBG project will replace all water and wastewater utilities on Catherine Street from Vine Street, where the previous project ended, and extend all the way to Coshocton Avenue, he said.
Approval was also given for the safety-service director to identify and select a qualified firm to rehabilitate the second clarifier at the city’s water treatment plant.
Auditor can transfer up to $3,000 within accounts
City Auditor Terry Scott can now transfer up to $3,000 between line items in city accounts without needing approval from the city council.
Previously, he was required to get approval for anything above $500, an amount set in 1998.
Council approves appointments to boards, commissions
The city council approved appointments and reappointments of seven city residents to six boards and commissions.
Kathryn Brechler was reappointed to the Board of Property Maintenance Appeals. Sibley Poland was reappointed for a one-year term to the Historical Review Commission. Anthony L. Smith, Lois Hanson and Christy Burson were reappointed to the Library Board of Trustees. Emily Vonck was reappointed to the Recreation Board for a five-year term.
Councilmember Amber Keener was appointed to the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees. She was also reappointed to the Board of Directors of Experience Mount Vernon.
