BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- Brunswick City Council unanimously approved the city's $71.7 million 2019 appropriations budget at its Dec. 10 regular meeting.
Finance Director Todd Fischer noted that the budget was reviewed by council at an Oct. 29 meeting and was approved by the Audit Committee. He added that the $71.7 million budget figure includes legally required recording of estimated fund transfers, with the actual 2019 expenditures estimated to be roughly $30 million.
Additions to the police fleet
Council also approved the $42,000 purchase of two unmarked Ford Fusions with police equipment installed from Statewide Ford and one marked police cruiser from Greve Chrysler for an amount not to exceed $34,000.
Police Chief Brian Ohlin said the two unmarked cars will be assigned to department lieutenants and will replace two cars with 206,000 miles and 210,000 miles, respectively. The marked cruiser will replace a 2011 cruiser and be put into service for traffic control, Ohlin said.
New Fire equipment
A resolution authorizing an agreement with Fire Force Inc. for the purchase of 28 self-contained breathing devices and 56 oxygen cylinders for the Brunswick Division of Fire was also approved by council.
Acting Fire Chief Josh Erskine said the $178,444 purchase will replace equipment that is past its useful service life.
Fischer commended Erskine and the fire department for their successful application for Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funds, which will cover 90 percent of the cost of the equipment.
"That 90 percent is city money that will not have to go for that (purchase)," Fischer said.
City champions
Mayor Ron Falconi issued a proclamation to resident and long-time volunteer, Paul Offill, who was nominated for special recognition by Deborah Cottrell. The mayor also recognized the 2018 seventh-grade girls' volleyball citywide CYO champion team from St. Ambrose School.
Coach Wendy Krizsa congratulated members of the team for the achievement.
"I am really proud of all these girls. They worked so hard," Krizsa said. "And we hope to come back for back-to-back city championships next year."
Other actions
Council also approved a one-year renewal of the city's agreement with the Medina County Public Defender Commission for indigent services in Medina Municipal Court involving city code violations, at a cost of $125 per jury trial and $100 for adjudicated cases. Law Director Ken Fisher said this represents no increase to the current fee structure.
An ordinance rezoning property at 3864 Center Road from rural residential to general commercial zoning also was approved. Community and Economic Development Director Grant Aungst said the property, formerly in Brunswick Hills Township, was recently annexed into the city by request of the property owner and the rezoning conforms to surrounding city properties.
The rezoning was also recommended by the city Planning Commission, Aungst said.
Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry.