City sees extra expenses

LIMA - Some unexpected expenses this year added up to an extra $405,000 appropriated for the city's budget Monday.

City Council approved additional appropriations in the amount of $100,000 for additional water pumping related to Greater Ohio Ethanol; $200,000 for the collection of debris from two storms this year; and $105,000 related to the extra expense of gasoline.

The water expense, more pumping and greater electrical costs, will be offset by new revenue from Greater Ohio Ethanol, Utilities Director Gary Sheely said.

Gasoline costs, while currently declining at the pumps, have largely been up for the year, Finance Director Dan Hefner said. While the extra gasoline money hasn't yet been spent, Hefner expects at least some of it to be.

The $200,000 resulted from added staff hours, fuel costs and amount of debris collected from two storms this year and deposited at the city's composting facility, Sheely said.

Sixth Ward Councilman Derry Glenn asked recently if the storms' cost would cause a trash rate increase. For now, the answer is no, Sheely said.

"However, if we keep having several events a year like this, we may not be able to absorb the costs," Sheely said.

While the city has the cash to cover the expenses, the money cannot be legally spent until an appropriation has been made.