Nick McWilliams Reporting –
After having a sizable budget shortfall to address in 2024, New Philadelphia officials are looking towards safeguards against a similar situation in the future.
While working to balance the budget for 2024, officials determined roughly $380,000 would need to be taken out of the general fund expenses, with all efforts being made to prevent any employees losing their employment.
While the city expressed confidence moving forward, at a recent meeting, Councilman Tom Simmelink says that in his extended experience on various boards, financial reports were more readily available.
“This is the only board that I have yet to see a financial report routinely reported at the beginning of the meeting. And we’re asked to make decisions about spending money. And I have no idea if we have any money. I have no idea how this budget is working out. Are we winning, or are we losing?”
Simmelink asked that the Finance Committee and Chair Steve Rippeth develop a financial report that would be given out to council frequently.
Rippeth says that he is working with Mayor Joel Day to ensure city officials are better informed about financial standing.
“That’s part of the process we hope to instill. Seeing how we can make that work better. It probably won’t be something that we bring here and read. It will probably be something that will be distributed to you.”
Simmelink posed the question after $80,000 worth of grants were approved for projects, and said that while that money means it will not cut into the general fund, it brings about the question of the rest of the financial standing in New Phila.
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