More capital spending on council's agenda

FINDLAY — Legislation seeking approval for Findlay's fifth round of capital spending in 2024 has been introduced to city council. The legislation includes appropriations totaling $290,000, which was given its first reading at the council's regular meeting on Sept. 17. Council's rules require three separate, public readings of legislation before a vote unless the three-reading rule is suspended. A supermajority vote of council, which is three-fourths of the members present, is required to suspend the rule. Council meets in regular session today at 6 p.m. in the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. All council meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@findlayohio4234. If approved by council, $120,000 would be appropriated from the city's capital improvement fund, with $75,000 to be spent replacing door locks on the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. A total of $40,000 will be spent to resurface cemetery roads, and $5,000 will be spent on the resurfacing of Melrose and Broad avenues. A total of $120,000 would be appropriated from the city's water fund, with $40,000 to be spent on Phase 1 of the Morrical Waterline Replacement project. A total of $80,000 would be spent on a waterline replacement on South West Street. A total of $50,000 would be appropriated from the city's sewer fund, with $25,000 to repair a sanitary sewer on Western Avenue. A total of $25,000 would also be appropriate to repair another sanitary sewer on Carnahan Avenue. The city's $30.4 million capital budget relies heavily on grant funding. Grants are expected to cover about $11 million of the capital expenses in 2024. Last year, grant funding accounted for about $10.5 million of the city's $34.2 million capital plan. About $9.2 million is expected to be spent from the city's capital improvement funds, with the balance of the improvements paid from restricted accounts for city utilities, including water, sewer and stormwater funds. The budget includes projects and equipment that are in the planning, design, construction, or purchase phase. This year's capital plan includes 126 projects or equipment purchases across all city departments. There are 84 infrastructure projects. A total of 17 projects will upgrade city facilities and 25 projects will upgrade city equipment or vehicles.