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"AROUND OUR
TOWN"
NUMBERS, NUMBERS AND MORE NUMBERS This time without a doubt is one of the busiest ones of the year for the city of Chillicothe and its department heads and employees. If you haven't heard or don't know by now, it is time to prepare the 2012-13 fiscal year budget. City Administrator Ike Holland, City Auditor Theresa Kelly, Assistant Auditor Jamie Trenton each are going through the early development process, budget theme and the calendar. The date of February 3 will serve as the last date for department heads to submit budget worksheets and line-item detail to the city administrator's and auditor's office. The date of February 6 is the one listed for community based operations such as Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Chillicothe, Small Business Development Center, Chillicothe Summer Playground Association and others to submit their proposed budgets for the new fiscal year to the administrator's office. The city currently is working off a $13 million plus budget that is in the black and is expected to remain in place unless an unexpected emergency arises. Throughout February 6-13 the auditor's office will complete revenue estimates and summary analysis of projected revenues vs. proposed expenditures (all funds and all budge activities). The summary analysis will then be reviewed with the city administrator. During that same span the department budget reviews with the city administrator will take place. On February 21, the City Auditor and City Administrator will prepare the proposed city budget document. On Wednesday, February 29, the city council will hold a budget workshop that is open to the public and a budget document will be distributed to the city council. The city council will meet in joint session at the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities with the Board of Public Works on March 8 for a budget workshop, while on March 12 the city clerk will publish notice on the public hearing on 2012-13 proposed city budget. Nothing but good things being heard about the Benefit Day held for all city employees on January 25 in the city hall council chambers. Near perfect attendance marked the morning and afternoon event with 73 of the 74 city employees in attendance. City department heads and employees were split in half to attend the sessions. City Administrator Ike Holland said that he was surprised but very pleased with the attendance on behalf of the employees. They heard presentations by representatives of LAGERS (city retirement plan) and from Blue Cross Blue Shield, the city health provider, as well as a welcome and comments from the mayor and city administrator. A box lunch was provided for the employees during the noon-time break in the city hall auditorium. During the Benefit Day event, Administrator Holland presented a calendar of city events to the employees, department heads and elected personnel that will mark special days of fun and entertainment. Administrator Holland said that the events ranging from a city employee picnic that would include softball and pool party at the Aquatic Center in July to employee golf days would be added to the calendar. In March and October, there will be employee bowling nights at Fast Lanes, and in May and September there will be employee golf days at the green Hills Golf Course. There will also be the Christmas/holiday party in December for all city employees. This past December the city enjoyed its biggest and best holiday event in many years. "We are going to try these events for our city employees and if they are successful and well attended we will continue them. If they are not successful then we will look at a different venue," said Holland in addressing each employee session. The great January weather brought out many golfers to the city's Green Hills Golf Course, including visitors from Minnesota and Iowa. Golfing has been exceptionally good in a month that normally brings much frigid weather and several inches of snow. The great winter weather has also allowed construction crews for the city street department to accomplish a several outdoor projects that otherwise would have been impossible in most winter months. It also has meant savings in dollars because of lack of snow plowing, use of salt and overtime pay for street crews.
There has been an increase in parks and playground use in the past two months and work has been underway at Shaffer Park that normally would not happen until late March or early April.
All new storm sirens are now in place and soon will be tested. Good weather allowed the installation of poles by the utility department along with the sirens. All the storm sirens are one-way radio controlled. There are now 11 storm sirens in the city, including those at Simpson, Danner and Shaffer parks that have voice public address announcements that can be used during stormy weather conditions. In his year-end report to the administrator, mayor and council, Fire Chief Darrell Wright reported that the fire and EMS departments answered or worked 2,109 calls in 2011, including inspections, customer service calls, structure fires, brush and grass fires, smoke scare, vehicle fires, etc. Chillicothe Police Department records in a summary of 2011 show that calls per service increased from 23,119 in 2010 to 24,519 in 2011. Calls per-service is the number of calls the department receives from the public or other agencies. Chief of Police Rick Knouse said burglary and stealing had a distinct increase. He also pointed out the training the department received during the past year and that all officers are P.O.S.T. and were up and above required hours on 12-31-2011, which is the state reporting date. The department also increased the size of its facility in taking over the former quarters of engineering and codes located in the south part of the owned building that is also home to a new codes and engineering office as well as the office of economic development.
The city continues to stay busy with the development of the new hospital and adjoining medical office building and will hold a special meeting with construction manager this week to finalize and possibly change some plans. Enjoy our great city and all it has to offer.
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C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
