Next budget hits the roads

Traffic capacity improvements on Diamond Centre among projects

The city of Mentor’s 2018 budget remains heavy on infrastructure investment, including allocating more than $500,000 toward traffic flow in Diamond Centre.

The annual appropriations ordinance, passed by City Council Dec. 5, comprises a general fund of $65.3 million and more than 50 other funds.

“This year’s budget (2018) continues our practice of conservative budgeting, which is consistent with previous year’s budgets,” Finance Director David Malinowski said. “The total 2018 general fund budget is about 3 percent higher compared to 2017. We anticipate a healthy

general fund balance reserve by the end of 2018, similar to the projected balance at year-end 2017.”

There are modest increases in wages and medical insurance costs, he said, and virtually no changes to overall staffing. The city employs about 340 people full time and 170 part-timers.

Some of the major projects are an extension of work begun this year. They include the following road improvements totaling nearly $7 million:

• Diamond Centre right-turn lane extension ($230,000)

• Diamond Centre leftturn lane onto Heisley Road design and right-of-way acquisition ($330,000)

• Hopkins Road resurfacing from Route 20 to Route 84 ($448,000)

• Headlands area street rehab Phase 2: Orchard Road ($3.4 million)

• Hopkins Road Bridge over Martin Ohm Creek ($935,000)

• Headlands Road onstreet parking ($75,000)

• Neighborhood road repair and resurfacing program ($1.5 million)

Another $1.14 million is slated for stormwater projects and planning:

• Dale Rice detention facility Phase 1 ($680,000)

• Hunter’s Wood/Interstate 90 ditch bypass ($130,000)

• Brighton Road outfall improvement ($148,000)

• Maple Street storm improvement design ($53,000)

• Major drainage channel maintenance ($85,000)

• Ongoing sanitary backup protection grant program ($50,000)

• Ongoing five-year storm sewer cleaning/televising program

Other significant investment and improvements in the new year are to include:

• Old Village decorative street lighting Phase 2 ($1.3 million)

• New cemetery maintenance building ($600,000)

• Springbrook Gardens Park Phase 2 construction and Phase 1 and 2 Engineering ($740,000)

• Mentor Lagoons Marina infrastructure stabilization ($450,000)

• Presidents Park walking trail ($80,000)

• Public works maintenance facility lift replacement ($150,000)

• Pedestrian safety sidewalk program in Ward 3 ($400,000)

• Tree planting ($100,000)

State law requires that a permanent budget be in place by March 31 of the allocation year. At least temporary appropriations have to be adopted by December.

“We are always proud of the accomplishment of adopting a next-year budget prior to year end,” Malinowski said.

“Many cities adopt a temporary budget and do not have a total-year budget adopted until well into the first quarter of the calendar year.

“By adopting a budget early, we are able to get out in front of the bid/award process for time-sensitive major projects, resulting in favorable pricing and completion dates on projects. This is a credit to the city administration and our elected officials.”

City Manager Ken Filipiak said it creates a bit of a time crunch for staff at the end of the year, but the benefits make the effort worthwhile.

“It (again) gives our entire administration, each department, an opportunity to have a full calendar year to implement our plans and projects for the year, and that has proven very successful for the community since we’ve been able to move forward with this type of schedule in the past,” he said.

The city of Chardon had switched to a similar budget model, but City Council last year voted 4-3 to return to adopting appropriations in the new year.