Ortonville – After facing extensive revenue sharing cuts in 2004, municipalities statewide are bracing to endure future adjustments to the 2005 budgets.
In a one hour budget study session on April 24 the council approved the preliminary 2005 Ortonville budget.
While the village income and expenses have not changed in the past two years, Zelenak said health care costs and additional revenue sharing cuts could potentially burden the village’s future financial health.
As the budget must be approved by July 1, in April Village Manager Paul Zelenak suggested a two hour session with council to study the budget, council however, agreed on a one hour session.
On Monday, Zelenak and Village President Sue Bess agreed to meet separately with council member Bob Flath, who asked for a second budget study meeting to further review the proposed 2005 Budget.
While Flath stated that a one hour session was not enough time to comprehend such a sizable plan, he admitted that being new to the council and the budget issues requires additional review time for him.
‘I realize I am only one vote on this council but 45 minutes is too fast to review a budget that size,? Flath told the council.
In addition to introducing the new budget, Zelenak asked council to review and offer any suggestions, additions or improvements to a preliminary capital improvement plan, an extensive five year planning tool that identifies future needs of the village with elements of equipment planning similar to a depreciation schedule.
Zelenak said the document is a guideline to assist the council in identifying budgetary items that will need to be addressed over the next five years. The intent of the CIP is to eliminate reactionary decisions and establish long term village purchase plans.
The CIP includes maps to identify locations of future projects such as infrastructural improvements, equipment assessments, employee training, administrative policies and procedures and extensive community needs.
Zelenak coordinated and introduced the CIP to the council to use in conjunction, or as an enhancement to each year’s village budget.
Council member Mary Kassuba commended Zelenak for compiling the extensive document and offered a suggestion of an additional street assessment in the plan.
While Kassuba was impressed with the plan’s sidewalk improvement schedule she questioned whether the Department of Public Works could keep on schedule to remove or replace portions of sidewalks on Church, Cedar, and Mill streets by 2006.
While Zelenak is confident that the sidewalk plan can be accomplished, due to the recent storms drain work has currently taken priority over village sidewalk repair.
Warning council that a drainage contractor will be called in to assess pipe damage with cameras, Zelenak added that the drains have been ‘neglected? for so long that there is too much silt at the bottom of the catch basins to physically assess for cracks or blockages.
In addition, Zelenak told Kassuba that due to recent heavy rains the DPW has contended with extensive erosion on three of the five village bridges in addition to a section of Mill Street near the intersection of Crescent Hill Drive.
‘The sidewalk plan is an ambitious plan that we would like to do but they (sidewalks) have been neglected for so many years it isn’t possible to do them all right now,? he said.
There will be a public hearing on both the 2005 budget and the capital improvement plan at 7 p.m. on June 28, at the Old Town Hall.