(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
UNDER CONTROL … Delta Wastewater Superintendent Chris Maier addresses council members and attendees during Monday’s council meeting. Maier was explaining the need for a new control panel for one of the village’s lift stations, the purchase of which was approved at the meeting.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
The Delta Village Council voted during its meeting Monday to reduce general fund expenditures by nearly $200,000 in an attempt to correct a portion of previous misallocation.
Council Member Lynn Frank explained the action prior to the vote. “We had someone in here from the state auditor’s office – not in reference to the special investigation – here for training with Marlene and Jenna a couple weeks ago,” Frank said.
“He made the recommendation that we reduce expenditures in the general fund by $200,000 because of the issue with the income tax distribution.”
That issue was uncovered by former Village Administrator Andy Glenn, who wrote in a letter to residents at the time that, in 2017, tax revenue that was supposed to be allocated to the water fund were instead redirected to the general fund.
The council voted to pass a pair of ordinances on an emergency basis reducing the economic development fund from $129,200 to $29,200, the Memorial Hall fund from $55,200 to $46,200, and the transportation fund from $414,590.56 to $332,090.56, for a total of $191,500 in reductions.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBER
Federal regulations under the Hatch Act appear to not impact the recent appointment of new council member Rachel Adams, who is a federal employee of the United States Postal Service.
The Hatch Act prohibits, among other things, federal employees from running for partisan office. As the Delta Village Council seats are not partisan (candidates run individually, not under any political party), the regulations should not affect Adams.
Law Director Kevin Heban said they were aware of her employment, and no discussions were had regarding the Hatch Act prior to her appointment.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council voted to authorize on an emergency basis the purchase of a control panel, transducer, and floats as well as their installation by Buckeye Pumps of Galion.
The new panel will replace a failed panel on one of the village’s highest flowing lift stations, located by NorthStar Bluescope Steel.
The council voted to assess a lien on the Windstream property to recoup costs incurred by the village when it was forced to mow the property’s overgrown lawn.
Upon questioning by attendees, it was reported that the village administrator position had not yet been advertised and that the hiring process was on hold while the village focused on finding a new police chief.
The next regular meeting of the Delta Village Council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 5 at 401 Main Street in Delta.