SOCIAL DISTANCING … A “sign of the times in Swanton. (PHOTO BY BILL O’CONNELL, STAFF)
By: Bill O’Connell
Faced with the inevitability of heavily declining revenue streams triggered by the negative economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Swanton Village Council met on Monday, April 13, via Facebook Live Streaming Video to discuss the Village’s response and develop a tentative strategy going forward.
The rapidly changing nature of pandemic itself as well as the state and federal responses to it has forced Village officials to make significant and difficult personnel and financial decisions to maintain Village services.
Fiscal Officer Jennifer Harkey explained that as of March 31, most real estate taxes, income taxes and utility bills had been paid to the Village, but it is predicted the revenues will begin to decrease in April. For the year, it is estimated that individual and withholding tax income along with second-half real estate taxes will drop a combined $156,630.
The Village has also eliminated the 10% penalty on late utility bills and shut-off water fees which averaged $3500 per month. Ms. Harkey added that an estimate for the loss of net profit taxes was difficult to provide because as some businesses are laying off employees, while others, such as grocery stores are hiring.
Given the falling revenue, it was recommended that Village employee wages, which were scheduled to increase with the first full pay check this April, be frozen until such time as the economic impact of the pandemic is fully realized. Ms. Harkey cited language in a Village ordinance which addressed employee wage hikes.
“The Ordinance states ‘if appropriations are available’. I think everybody understands right now it would not be wise to raise employee wages at this point,” she said. “I think we need to reevaluate throughout the year, but at this point my recommendation would be that we hold off on those. I think the employees would understand that.”
Councilman Mike Rochelle supported the recommendation as did Councilwomen Dianne Westhoven and Kathy Kruez. There were no objections from the other Council members or Mayor Neil Toeppe.
It was also decided to delay the hiring of seasonal workers for the Public Service Division (PSD). Generally, a list of applicants is brought before the Council during the first meeting of the Spring.
However, after a conversation between PSD Superintendent Neil Tedrow and Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle, it was determined that the PSD workload had been reduced enough to handle the workload typically done by seasonal help. It was also agreed upon to fill seasonal positions if the need returned.
With the potential of an increase in EMS responses due to the coronavirus or possibly virus-related illnesses within the Fire Division, Emergency Ordinance 2020-XX, authorizing the temporary hiring of Fire and Rescue personnel if needed, was unanimously approved. Fire Chief Tony Schaffer said he has four candidates available and they would be required to pass a background check and drug screen.
Council also discussed the possible cancellation or postponement of the annual Swanton Fireworks Festival scheduled for June 27, 2020. Currently, the financial impact on the Village for cancellation would be $6,250, or half of the $12,000 down payment, if requested by April 28, 2020 or all of the $12,000 if cancelled after that date.
With the highly unusual circumstances, however, Village Solicitor Alan Lehenbauer said there may be a legal path to recover all of the down payment.
Citing several studies on the potential length of the pandemic, including those by the Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University, Mayor Toeppe said it was likely it would last into June. He also stated that even if the Stay-at-Home order is lifted there would probably be social distancing measures that would remain for some time which could also impact the fireworks display.
Council President Craig Rose suggested to wait until the next scheduled Council meeting on April 27, 2020 and see what else transpires before making a final decision.
The Village will be updating their website and Facebook page with all pandemic-related updates as soon as they become available.
Bill can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com