Mayor Duncan echoed Mr. Klopsch’s comments.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that Oakwood is fortunate to have a citizen budget committee that currently includes 35 members and is equally represented by residents from each of Oakwood’s seven voting precincts. That committee met four times this year and endorses this 2019 budget. Committee Chair Dave Dickerson and Vice Chair Bill Frapwell are here this evening to make a few comments about the citizen budget committee’s role in providing input on financial matters.

Dave Dickerson and Bill Frapwell addressed Council. Mr. Dickerson shared that the Oakwood Budget Review Committee (BRC) consists of 30 plus members with five representing each of Oakwood’s seven voting precincts. The committee’s role is to advise city staff and city council on city financial matters, and to communicate the viewpoint of Oakwood residents regarding the extent of public services they desire and their willingness to pay the associated costs. The key to the committee is that members provide not only their own opinions but also provide the opinions of other Oakwood residents.

This year, as in the past, the committee has been actively engaged with our city leaders to cut costs and to find new sources of revenue so that we can continue to receive the finest city services. The committee was very pleased to see city staff propose a balanced budget for 2019.

In regards to the proposed budget, the committee met four times this year to receive detailed briefings on financial matters and to provide feedback and counsel to Oakwood city leaders. The BRC believes that the budget proposal before City Council tonight is a responsible one and will meet the needs of the Oakwood community. The BRC fully endorses the budget and recommends to city council that the 2019 Budget be approved tonight. Recognizing the capital equipment needs in the refuse department, the BRC also supports the $3 per month increase in residential unit refuse rates.

On behalf of the citizen volunteers on the budget committee, Mr. Dickerson thanked City Council and city staff for providing the BRC an opportunity to serve the community.

Mr. Frapwell thanked Mr. Ordeman for his service to the BRC. He shared that city staff works hard to find ways to save money while still effectively running the City.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mr. Dickerson and Mr. Frapwell, for their long service on the Budget Review Committee. He commented on Mr. Dickerson and Mr. Frapwell’s recognition in the Dayton Business Journal’s list of “Who’s Who in Real Estate”. Mayor Duncan also shared that the Oakwood Rotary Club recently presented the Civic Leadership Award to Mr. Frapwell and the Community Service Award to Refuse Foreman Kenneth Perkins.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mr. Epley that the second reading be waived and that the 2019 budget ordinance be passed tonight.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said ordinance was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mr. Epley explained that this is an ordinance to update Appendix A, which is the public services rate sheet, by increasing city refuse collection rates from $27 to $30 per month per residential unit.

When the Ohio Estate Tax was eliminated in 2013, the city of Oakwood lost about 20 % of its average annual revenue. This forced several changes in Oakwood, including the decision to end the practice of subsidizing the refuse collection program with General Fund tax dollars. In other words, staff restructured the program so that 100% of the cost is now paid by user fees. In addition to the weekly backdoor household trash and recycling collection and disposal for about