Southgate city council held the first reading of two budget-related ordinances and was presented with the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget, as well as an ordinance to amend the current year budget, during its June 5 meeting.
Discussion around the budget was brief. The Southgate Fire Department had requested $632,000, but the department’s budget in the first draft was about $40,000 less than the request.
Fire Chief John Beatsch said he made his case for the additional funds to city officials before the council meeting. They reworked the draft and were able to fulfill the chief’s request.
Beatsch explained last year the department had to dip into reserve funds set aside to purchase fire fighting equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus, that must be replaced periodically. Having sufficient funds for operation would protect the equipment savings from being used to cover other needs, he said.
The council also discussed a budget item, adding another full-time employee position to the public works department.
“I’ve got some reservations about adding an additional headcount to public works,” said council member Mark Messmer. “I did a little bit of research. The city of Wilder has two full-time public works folks, and they offset that with seasonal [employees]. Highland Heights has four, but they offset some grass-cutting by seasonal employees. I’m struggling with getting four full-time public works people for the city of Southgate.”
Mayor Jim Hamberg said the additional employee would do more than extra seasonal work. He said the city has concrete repair and other work. The additional person would expand coverage options during busy times. Finding and training qualified people for the department has been difficult in the past, he said, and being able to offer a full-time position could help.
Messmer disagreed that a full-time person would be needed. Council members said they would continue the discussion at the next meeting.