The budget hearing and discussion on a variety of topics took place during a Wayne City Council retreat on Tuesday.
The retreat was held in the newly renovated Freedom Park Trailhead building.
City Finance Director Beth Porter shared information on the proposed 2023-2024 fiscal year budget.
The following numbers make up this budget, along with comparisons with the 2022-2023 budget:
Total 2023 valuation — $328,167,247, which is an increase of 13.45% over the previous year;
2022 Operating — $40,484,352, compared with $53,585,042 in 2023.
Tax ask (city only) -
2022 — $1,111,864.56, which results in a levy of $0.384371;
2023 — $1,175,499.61, which results in a levy of $0.358201.
The total tax asking for the city of Wayne tax payers, which is the city, Airport Authority and Community Redevelopment Authority:
2022 — $1,111,976 (city) and $100,213 (Airport) for a total of $1,212,189 and a tax levy of $0.419053.
2023 — $1,175,500 (city), $109,920 (Airport) and $85,323 (Community Redevelopment Authority for a total of $1,370,473 and a tax levy of $0.417696.
The budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year will be approved at the council's Sept. 5 meeting.
Council members talked at length about the current situation with the installation of lawn sprinkler systems and backflow devices.
Water/Wastewater Director Casey Junck told the council that there is a contractor who does not always work well with the city in regard to the installation of the backflow device.
This device prevents chemicals from getting into the drinking water should a backup occur.
"There is no permitting process at the present time and we (the city) has no ability to protect our water system," Junck said.
He told the council that some cities have a permit process and backflow requirement and he feels the state will recommend the devices be installed.
Discussion was held on the possibility of having a 'certified plumber list' and providing those on the list with a list of rules to be followed when installing these devices.
City Attorney Amy Miller told the council an ordinance could be created to handle the situation.
Food trucks in the city and the need to regulate them was also on the agenda during the retreat.
Council member Terri Buck said she felt that there should be some type of application form for the trucks and health certificates required.
City Administrator Wes Blecke said the state is currently working to set up regulations for the trucks and the city would then be able to implement those.
Rick Gathje, owner of the Tacos' & More Food Truck, told the council that "it would be nice to know that they (food trucks) are licensed and paying the proper taxes. They need to have a Tax ID, health certificate and some places also require me to have liability insurance."
Among the other topics discussed was an update on the "Old City Hall Building."
City Administrator Blecke said he feels the city should put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to "see what is out there in terms of interest in the building."
He said the building is not in the historic district of the city and that the city might possibly want to keep the basement.
Funding updates were provided for both Wayne Area Economic Development (WAED) and Wayne Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA).
WAED Executive Director Luke Virgil told the council that the group had gone to the county to ask for funding for the group and discussed with county commissioners the reasons for the large increase in tax asking. It was noted that the benefits of economic development and the need for additional housing within the entire county.
Virgil said the county agreed to fund the organization $125,000 during the coming year; $150,000 the second year and $175,000 the third year.
Discussion also involved information on the office make-up of WAED, as Wayne Community Housing Development will also be part of the group. There will be a total of four positions within the organization.
In terms of the CRA, information provided included the fact that citizens within the community are concerned with what the CRA is doing and the fact that it is another "arm of the city, funded with tax dollars."
Parking in several areas of the city, including Fourth and Dearborn Streets, around the elementary school and on Meadow Lane, was discussed.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
