Tuesday evening, Circleville Council heard the first version of their budget.
Finance chair Barry Keller said the so-called "tax budget" required by the state at the middle of the year is $22,032,899.
He said the highlights were that staffing is frozen at 2018 levels; there were few requests: two new police cruisers; more asphalt for streets; and a new domain server for the administration.
Keller says that should be passed July 3rd...then revised at year's end with true numbers from the Auditor.
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Council announced they have given up on a proposed nuisance animals ordinance.
Judicial committee chair Julie Strawser said they had found a model ordinance from North Olmstead, Ohio, but Circleville council couldn't work with it. She said it "has been worse than tabled" because they could not protect pets or figure out who would pay for what.
So in the meantime, she says if you see a nuisance animal health hazard, call the health department.
The ordinance was meant to deal with feral cats, raccoons, possums, skunks, and even wasp nests...especially in abandoned properties, which are a haven for vermin.
She also warned that two critter problems can combine into a contagious situation: cats can pick up bed bugs from outdoor upholstered furniture...and then give them to you.
Because of lack of a super-majority, council could not pass ordinances for two new police cruisers or two new dump trucks, yet.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils and local culture