Finance Report: Finance Director Cindy Stafford referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following topics: 2024 Financials through September 30, 2024 and Department Personnel Changes.
Mrs. Stafford began by wishing her husband a happy 35th anniversary. She said that there are many resources available on the City’s website (www.oakwoodohio.gov) including everything she will go over this evening.
In regard to the 2024 financials through September 30, 2024, Mrs. Stafford referenced a chart for General City Services, excluding transfers, showing budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $16,785,811 and $14,011,166; and disbursements were: $20,154,554 and $14,073,092. 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 disbursements and encumbrances will come very close to the budget by the end of the year.
The Refuse Funds, excluding transfers, budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $1,380,600 and $1,057,803; and disbursements were: $1,688,120 and $1,304,999.
For the Water Utility Funds, Sanitary Sewer Utility Funds and Stormwater Utility Funds, excluding transfers, budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $4,600,200 and $3,377,960 and disbursements were: $7,463,256 and $4,820,487. Mrs. Stafford shared that she anticipates that disbursements and encumbrances will come very close to the budget by the end of the year.
Mrs. Stafford welcomed Barbara Class as the new payroll clerk in the Finance Department.
Mrs. Stafford closed her staff report by saying that with her retirement coming up in January, this will be her last staff report to City Council. She thanked Council for all of their support and then recognized her current and past Finance Department employees.
City Council thanked Mrs. Stafford for her wonderful career.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Mr. Klopsch shared his appreciation for Mrs. Stafford and all her outstanding work over the years.
Mr. Klopsch acknowledged that this was his last council meeting as City Manager and said that his retirement is bittersweet. He shared that he moved to Oakwood five months before joining city staff in November 1992 and has thoroughly enjoyed both living in and working for the Oakwood community. He was blessed to work with two remarkable Mayors and all of the council members over the years have been the finest one could ask for. Mr. Klopsch thanked his city staff and said that a leader of any organization is only as good as the people they work with. He also thanked a few of his mentors including former city managers David Foell and Mike Kelly, and Dr. John Eastman, his engineering mentor from LJB Engineers. He also thanked retired Assistant City Manager Jay Weiskircher for being his rock in Oakwood. Mr. Klopsch then recognized his family and friends in the audience.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mrs. Jackson shared that she has known Mr. Klopsch as a friend for many years and from her previous work on the Planning Commission. He helped cultivate her to be a public servant.
Mrs. Turben shared that Mr. Klopsch will be sorely missed. She then shared images of the storm damage from Hurricane Helene in Ashville, North Carolina. She closed her comments by inviting people to a Miami Conservancy District tour at Lockington Dam on October 16.
Mr. Stephens thanked Mrs. Stafford for all of her great work and congratulated her on her upcoming retirement. He thanked Mr. Klopsch for everything he has done for the Oakwood community and for him personally as a council member.
Vice Mayor Byington thanked Mrs. Stafford for doing a fantastic job over the years and wished her all the best in retirement. He shared that he is very happy for Mr. Klopsch because there are so many things he can do in his retirement. He mentioned that Sunday, October 13 is the Family Fall Festival event at Shafor Park from 2 – 5 p.m., which is the kick-off to Scarecrow Row.
Mayor Duncan thanked the Public Works Department for all their work cleaning up the storm damage from Hurricane Helene. He noted that some things, including electricity outages, are out of the City’s hands. He encouraged AES to communicate better with elected officials and city staff so they can communicate with Oakwood residents. Mr. Duncan said that he would say words about Mr. Klopsch’s retirement at the November 4 council meeting.