Committees ponder new boards, budget

Lorain city government could add new advisory and policy making boards under a city charter, according to proposals discussed by a City Charter Commission committee.

On March 16, the City Charter Commission Committees 4 and 5 met to discuss various elements of city government.

They are part of five committees examining city government rules and process for the Lorain City Charter Commission.

Eventually, Lorain city voters will consider a new guiding document for how municipal government operates in the International City.

The committee members spent an hour on each of their respective topics.

Committee No. 5 deals with

finances, taxation, debt and government transition.

Co-chairwoman Karen Shawver, Co-chairman Dennis Flores and member Mary Santiago dove into the complexities of calculating the city’s annual budget.

Lorain usually has annual general fund spending of more than $30 million, and a total budget of about $105 million, including all funds allocated for specific uses such as road repairs, community development and water and sewer bills.

Some of the difficulty comes from timing because each year, revenues come in and circumstances happen that create next year’s estimate of the city’s financial future.

The committee members discussed revenue sources, police and fire department spending and utility costs.

Recent conflicts over water and sewer bills sparked the idea of a rural water authority taking control of Lorain’s water and sewer funds, Flores said.

Consulting attorney Garry Hunter contrasted a rural water authority that would oversee city operations, and the powers of a Lorain Regional Water Authority created by Lorain to market the city’s water and sewer systems for other communities to use.

The regional water authority was one of several options suggested by Committee No. 4.

Committee Co-chairman David Arredondo and member Tim Carrion acknowledged there are at least eight panels that deal with various elements within City Hall and Lorain at large.

They are: Board of Control; Civil Service Commission; Design Review Board; Demolition Board of Appeals; Fair Housing Board; Planning and Zoning Commission; Tax Incentive Review Board; and the Lorain Port and Finance Authority.

They suggested another seven for assisting Lorain’s elected leaders.

The possibilities are: • Business Advisory Board, with a small business owner, a large, private business owner located in Lorain, a non business owner. Appointments by the mayor, approved by Council.

• Charter Commission. Members shall be citizens of Lorain and may not be elected officials or city employees. Council shall nominate and approve the members every five years to allow for charter review and amendments.

• Community Reinvestment Authority Board. Members may not be elected officials nor employees of the city. Council shall nominate and approve.

• Districting Commission. The purpose is to draft city council wards based on the decennial census data. Nonpartisan members shall be appointed every 10 years by the mayor.

• Environmental Affairs Advisory Board with members appointed by the mayor and approved by Council.

• Historical Preservation Board with members appointed by the mayor and approved by Council.

• Parks and Recreation Board with members appointed and approved by City Council.

“I love most of the ones that you’re talking about,” Hunter said.

He suggested options such as having more than three members per board.

Historic preservation might fit with planning and zoning functions, and a recreation committee could work with the local school district on projects and if city activities would use school facilities.

Like economic development, the charter could create various boards that work to enhance the quality of life in Lorain, Hunter said.

It’s important because when businesses seek to expand, executives look for spots with an available workforce, good schools and high quality of life, he said.

Committee No. 4 Co-chairman A.J. Torres was unable to attend the meeting.

Lorain usually has annual general fund spending of more than $30 million, and a total budget of about $105 million, including all funds allocated for specific uses such as road repairs, community development and water and sewer bills.