The City of Bellefontaine now officially has a budget through Dec. 31, 2025, as city council members at their meeting Tuesday, March 25, unanimously passed an ordinance on its third reading and final vote approving permanent appropriations and current expenses.
The six-page budget has $13,335,160 in the General Fund – including $4,869,220 for police protection, $2,593,300 in fire services, and approximately $1.5 million for the Bellefontaine Municipal Court.
Other appropriations used to to run the various city offices and services include administrative, auditor, treasurer, maintenance and upkeep in City Hall, vehicle maintenance, downtown improvements and other expenditures.
Total special revenues funds to include the Victim Advocate office (VOCA), probation services, street department, youth sports programs, police and fire training funds, capital project funding to include the West, Main Street and South TIFs, airport construction, wastewater treatment and other funds totaling $6,619,175, with the total appropriations set at $37,457,945.
The council also unanimously passed on the final reading Tuesday an ordinance that changes the zoning classification forth building at 300 N. Park St. from R-2m One- and Two-Family Residence District, to R-3, Multi-Family Residence District.
In his report to the council, Police Chief Chris Marlow said that interviews to fill the final open position on the Bellefontaine Police Department have begun and will continue over the course of the next several days.
Service/Safety Director Wes Dodds reported that the antiquated system that printed utility bills bill for residents has given up the ghost. So the city, rather than replace the soft and hardware that would be needed to print the bills locally, has outsourced the service at a cost that will be less expensive than purchasing new equipment. He said residents should see no changes in their actual bills.
City Engineer Jim Bischoff reported Tuesday that his office has received 50 applications for new single-family home projects since the first of the year, noting that the city received only 37 in the entirety of 2024. He expects that there will be “plenty more to come” in the following months.
The Bellefontaine City Council’s next meeting is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.