Mayor Duncan asked Mr. Primm to share the Dayton Mediation Center’s contact information.

Mr. Primm shared the website address of daytonmediationcenter.org, email address of aaron.primm@daytonohio.gov and telephone number of (937) 333-3429.

Mrs. Hilton asked if the Dayton Mediation Center still accepts volunteers.

Mr. Primm noted that the majority of the mediation is done by volunteers. The Center provides 20 hours of training to all volunteers.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mr. Primm for his presentation.

STAFF REPORT
Finance Report: Finance Director Cindy Stafford referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following topics: 2020 year-end Audit; 2020 Auditor of State’s StaRS Program; and 2021 Financials through September 30, 2021.

The Oakwood Finance Department was again awarded the Auditor of State Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2020 Audit. Mrs. Stafford noted that this award not only represents the hard work of all city employees, but also City Council in overseeing the use of public resources.

Mrs. Stafford recognized the efforts of the following members of the Finance Department: Tracy Martin, Assistant Finance Director; Theresa Rushlow, Utility Clerk; Gloria Corona-Luna, Account Clerk; Linda Merker, Tax Administrator; Stacy Vreeland-Mathes, Part-time Tax Clerk; and, Tracy Davidson, Tax Clerk.

The Ohio Auditor of State uses a Stars Rating System (StaRS) to measure compliance with Sunshine Laws and to share best practices for governments to improve the transparency within their own organization. Mrs. Stafford displayed the city of Oakwood’s StaRS results. The City scored four stars, which is the highest achievement in open and transparent government. The Ohio Auditor’s Office shared a new best practice of recording public request acknowledgements, which was implemented immediately.

Mayor Duncan noted that a lot of the local government and school board issues reported in the Dayton newspapers are related to public records requests and open meetings. Oakwood city officials act openly to ensure transparency.

In regard to the 2021 financials through September 30, 2021, Mrs. Stafford referenced a chart for General City Services, excluding transfers, showing budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $13,536,869 and $13,147,130; and disbursements were: $14,602,025 and $11,113,738. Receipts are 97.12% as a result of three main items. The City received $468,000 of unbudgeted revenue from the American Rescue Plan Act. An additional $468,000 will be received next year as well and the funds will be reflected in the budget. The other two items include income taxes and property taxes. A significant amount of income tax and property tax is received in April and May, as well as property tax assessments. Mrs. Stafford shared that she anticipates that revenues will be slightly higher than budget, excluding the American Rescue Plan Act funds, and by the end of the year disbursements and encumbrances will be close to what was budgeted.

The Refuse Funds, excluding transfers, budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $1,352,600 and $1,042,268; and disbursements were: $1,707,976 and $1,364,512. For the Water Utility Funds, Sanitary Sewer Utility Funds and Stormwater Utility Funds, excluding transfers, budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $3,511,035 and $2,656,996 and disbursements were: $3,794,161 and $2,701,624.

There are many resources available on the City’s website (www.oakwoodohio.gov) including annual audit reports, annual city budgets, monthly financial reports, income tax forms and vital records forms.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mrs. Stafford and the Oakwood Finance Department for all of their good work.

Mr. Stephens asked if there has been an increase of water use since last year due to COVID-19 and people working from home.

Mrs. Stafford said that there has not been a significant change in water use since last year, but there are still quite a few people working from home.