Ironton City Council gave final approval on two major financial issues Thursday when it adopted the amended 2000 annual operating budget and authorized the mayor to purchase three new police cruisers.

Friday, March 24, 2000

Ironton City Council gave final approval on two major financial issues Thursday when it adopted the amended 2000 annual operating budget and authorized the mayor to purchase three new police cruisers.

The amended budget, which passed despite councilmen Jesse Roberts and Hugh Scott voting no and Joe Black’s absence, includes reducing the industrial recruitment department by half, which would require waiting until July 1 to hire a city recruiter, as well as a 10 percent office supply line item cut across the board. Black has openly opposed cutting the economic development department budget at past council and finance committee meetings.

"We are required by the Ohio Revised Code to have a budget in place by March 31," council chairman Jim Tordiff said. "The finance committee recognizes that this is not an ideal budget but we have plans to put together a tentative 2001 budget so we will have a better idea of what kinds of additional cuts and adjustments might need to be made."

Councilman Leo Ulery also recognized the budget’s shortcomings, but offered a vote of support out of necessity.

"It’s early in the year and we really haven’t been hit with the layoffs, we don’t know exactly how the Ashland, (Ky.), tax is going to affect us and Mr. Black’s point about not hiring an industrial recruiter is well taken," Ulery said of the budget’s initial problems. "But, we have to be fiscally responsible. To me, this is a starting point –  there is a lot more work ahead of us."

Despite dwindling revenue and a budget that required layoffs in the police department and other cuts, council members unanimously approved the purchase of three Chevrolet Impalas for the Ironton Police Department.

Ironton will face severe revenue losses in the upcoming year because of recent and upcoming plant closures. But there is $75,000 in the year 2000 budget earmarked for vehicle purchases, Tordiff said.

City council has not purchased new police cruisers since 1991, Tordiff said.

"The deadline to purchase these cruisers is March 30," he said. "These vehicles are used 24 hours a day and they can only operate so long and we have reached a point where it is costing as much to maintain the existing vehicles as it would to purchase the new ones."

Additionally, the money budgeted last year means no real effect on the new budget.

"These are police packaged Impalas and they are built heavier for police pursuit," said street department superintendent Mike Pemberton. "I was impressed by these vehicles and there is a definite need for them."

In other business, council said the city is exploring the possibility of beginning a historical home preservation society in light of recent attempts to demolish an ironmaster’s home.