Troy sticking to basic spending for next year

2021 budget is ‘boring’ because full impact of COVID-19 is unknown.

Troy’s proposed city budget for 2021 was described as “boring” as the city sticks to overall basic spending while waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is in a word, ‘ boring.’ It is a basic budget,” Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director, told Troy City Council during the annual budget work session Nov. 30.

The goal of the budget is to maintain basic services with city department heads submitting requests that were “very disciplined and minimalist,” Titterington said.

The approach was needed because the yet unknownimpact of the surprise year 2020 when COVID-19 hit in March, resulting in business and other closings for several weeks.

“Revenues will need to be closely tracked and monitored in light ofGov. DeWine’s responses to the COVID-19 issue and the result ant effects on the 2020 local economy ,” Tittering ton wrote in the annual budget memo to council.

Therealimpactof theyear likely won’t be seen until May following the city income tax filings.

Among the exceptions to the

basically flat operating budget would be long-planned capital expenses that include anewfire station near downtown and preparations for a multi-million West Main Street widening and reconstruction from downtown to Interstate 75.

Thepurchase ofbodycameras and newin-car cameras for the police department is planned with an estimated cost of $220,000. The body cameras would be new for police with cameras overall “an effort to increase the accountabilityandprotection of our staff and those with whom they interact,” Titterington said in the memo.

Amongotherbudget goals/ highlights identified:

■ The city’s emphasis on economic development will continue with investments in workforce attraction, qualify of life amenities and business recruitment and expansion.

■ Maintaining basic services to include road paving ($800,000) andimprovementsinwaterandsewersystems, among others.

■ Continued support of agencypartnersincludingthe Troy Development Council, Troy Main Street and Troy AreaChamberofCommerce.

■ Continuedreviewof service levels to ensure optimal organization and use of most efficient methods and practices.

The budget discussion included references to projects beyond 2021. The plans beyond 2021 should be considered a forecast and subject to change depending on finances and other factors, council was told.

Therearenocutsinstaffing recommendedand a recommendation to fill a third engineeringtechnicianpositionin the engineering department. Theposition has been vacant since a retirementaroundthe time of the 2008 recession. More help in the engineering department is needed to help deal with severalmajor projects in theworks, Titterington said.

The city will be negotiatingwith employeeunions on new contracts later in 2021.

Council is scheduled to consider the budget at its meeting Monday, Dec. 7.