PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
IMPROVED SECURITY … New security glass has been installed in the Delta village offices. Police Chief and Village Administrator Samuel Chappell said while the glass is not intended to turn the office into a completely secure room, it provides enhanced safety for employees over the previous, smaller glass partition. Chappell told Delta Village Council members the glass came in with chips, with the supplier looking into options for repair.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Delta Finance Director Joanne Clapp gave an update on the village’s audit and financial status during the most recent meeting of the Delta Village Council.
According to Clapp, the audit is nearly complete, with results expected to be released in the next two to three weeks.
In anticipation of its completion and the requirements likely to be set on the village with a declaration of financial distress, Clapp recommended the council form in advance its financial planning and supervision commission.
In addition, Clapp recommended the finance committee continue holding regular meetings until the commission is formed and ready to convene.
She said the requirements of the distress declaration may also include monthly expense limits.
Clapp reported on the potential of a performance audit to identify opportunities to increase efficiencies with regard to village finances. She said the cost estimate came in at $75,000, meaning it would have to be put on the back burner for now due to the village’s funding issues.
VILLAGE STANDARD PROCEDURES
Village Administrator Samuel Chappell said he and administrative staff have been developing standard operating procedures for a variety of village activities including stormwater practices, street sweeping, catch basins, and park opening procedures.
He said they are also working on SOPs for village jobs to help business continue as usual when employees are absent. In discussing the many tasks completed by staff, he called the street department “the Swiss Army knife of the village.”
WATER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
Public Utilities Superintendent Jammie Flores reported a drive and pump failed as well as the air conditioner at the water plant, all of which needed to be replaced.
She said the air conditioner was more than a comfort issue, as pH testing had to be completed daily, requiring storage of samples in a temperature-controlled environment. Council members approved the replacement of the drive and pump at a total cost of $40,000 and replacement of the air conditioner at a cost of up to $14,000.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSITION
Council members approved on first reading the creation of an executive assistant position to serve both the police chief and village administrator.
Chappell said he already had an assistant in his duties as chief who had stepped up to provide the same service in his position as administrator, and the creation of the new position was to codify her full duties in her job description and ensure she was being compensated fairly for the additional work.
The measure was brought forward to be passed as an emergency, but due to the absence of Councilwoman Rachel Adams and a dissenting vote on suspending the rules from Councilman Anthony Dawson, it was only possible to pass it on first reading.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council members approved on an emergency basis a pair of resolutions required to bring the village into compliance with federal priorities in order to continue its eligibility for future federal grants.
The first authorized the signing of an agreement that the village will not engage in discrimination as defined in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the second adopted a civil rights grievance policy and procedure.
Chappell said the village was already complying with both, but federal representatives wanted the guarantees adopted in writing and signed.
Council members approved on final reading the transferring of $80,314.25 in unused money from the defunct swimming pool fund to the parks and recreation fund.
Council members approved on final reading the proposed village tax budget for fiscal year 2027.
Council members approved on second reading a pair of resolutions establishing a water capital fund and transferring $2.9 million into the fund.
Council members approved on second reading a pair of resolutions establishing a sewer capital fund and transferring the monthly industrial sewer rate increase into the fund.
Council members approved on second reading the creation of an employee earned benefits line to house funds to cover the payout of employee benefits at retirement as well as “other than normal payroll” payments, and a resolution transferring 5 percent of the interest earned monthly from the general operating fund into the new line.
Council members approved on second reading a pair of resolutions regarding unclaimed income tax and utility deposits, the first authorizing the transfer of the funds to the village’s unclaimed funds line and the second authorizing their transfer to the state unclaimed funds division.
Clapp said the current balance set to be transferred into the village line is $3,885.27. Council members approved on second reading the identification as surplus and sale of unneeded village property.
Council members approved on first reading an application for annexation of a property owned by Leslie Haas.
Chappell, in his role as police chief, said evidence from the two deceased individuals found at a home on Main Street last month has been sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation lab in Bowling Green, but there is no new information on the case.
Chappell reported a sergeant is leaving the department to take a position with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department.
He said he knew he couldn’t hire another full-time employee, but asked to hire a part-time officer to work on an as-needed basis.
Chappell reported lights at the pickleball court needed to be replaced and the associated electrical system needed to be updated at a cost of $5,000, and said the recreation council had agreed to cover half of the cost.
Chappell reported the street department will be completing another brush pickup in the wake of recent storms and asked residents to have any related brush at the side of the road by Sunday night.
The next regular meeting of the Delta Village Council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20, at 401 Main Street in Delta, to be preceded by a meeting of the finance committee at 4 p.m.
