Trending
BELPRE -- Belpre City Council approved its budget for Calendar Year 2023 at Monday's regular meeting.
Council unanimously approved the third reading of an ordinance adopting the CY 2023 appropriations, setting the city's budget for this year, which totals $10,145,361.47. The deadline is March 31 for submittal to the Washington County Auditor.
Council also approved the first reading of the city's annual Manpower ordinance. Two additional readings will be held at future council meetings.
Work is also continuing on approving a new contract to provide emergency medical services in Belpre. Council's Police and Fire Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. April 3 to discuss a proposed contract, followed at 5:30 p.m. by a special council meeting.
In his mayor's report, Mayor Mike Lorentz told council that on March 15, he received a copy of the signed Community Funding Program agreement approved by council at its March 13 meeting. The city of Belpre, the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority and the Washington County Commission are applying for the federal CFP grant seeking funding for a sewer line expansion from Belpre north to Blue Knob Road.
"Now we wait and see if Belpre is successful," he said.
At the last meeting, Lorentz said a statement was made that Belpre's restaurants paid some $2,600 a year for their health license. He checked and it is actually $639 per year for Belpre's three largest restaurants, which also covers the two required inspections per year, he said.
On March 24, Lorentz said he and Safety-Service Director Connie Hobblitzell met with the new Parkersburg Bridge Partners general manager. The opening of the Memorial Bridge is still scheduled for late August or early September, but pre-registration for passes is now available online, he said.
In other business, the Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the city's annual participation the state purchasing agreement for salt.
The Rules Committee will meet at 7 p.m. April 10 prior to the next regular council meeting to discuss the proposed feral cat ordinance.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com