City of Wooster Community Newsletter Winter 2012

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City of WoosterWinter NewsletterNovember 2012

Get Informed.For more information please visit:

www.woosteratcrossroads.com

Wooster is at a Crossroads: Message from the Mayor

he City of Wooster is at a crossroads. Beginning January 1, the city’s finances will be hit hard by the loss of the inheritance tax,

the loss of tangible personal property tax revenue and a huge reduction in local government fund dollars from the State of Ohio. As the Mayor of the City of Wooster, I am dedicated to communicating the fiscal realities of the city to its residents. Armed with the facts, the citizens of Wooster will determine the future of their Wooster.

Over the past several weeks, city officials have been communicating with residents on the realities that the city is facing. In October, four ward meetings were held in which residents could attend to be given information, then stay afterwards to ask questions. Throughout the meetings, the most popular questions were taken and uploaded to www.woosteratcrossroads.com for others to view. We will continue to listen and answer questions. Questions can be submitted via the website above, as a written letter to myself or my administration or by attending any future community outreach events.

Despite the looming cuts, the city has made efforts to retain fiscal responsibility through cutting over $2 million from its operating budget since 2008, including the reduction of staff by over 30 employees. We have negotiated with unions and all (labor, police and fire) have agreed to pay freezes through 2013 (fire through 2014). Despite these and other efforts, the reduction in revenue in 2013 will mandate one of two options: generate new revenue or drastically cut city services.

Moving forward, the City of Wooster will continue to operate in a manner that is open, honest and transparent. We are committed to engaging our citizens for their opinions, questions and concerns, and will provide numerous additional opportunities for your voice to be heard, including a citywide meeting that will be held in early 2013. Thank you to all that came out to the ward meetings. We encourage you to keep up to date on all community outreaches by visiting www.woosteratcrossroads.com, by signing up to receive Wooster news in your email at www.woosteroh.com or by asking a city official.

-Bob Breneman

Table of Contents

City of Wooster Background Information ............. 2

Current Economic Environment ........... 3

If it Passes, If it Fails ................... 4

Fire Division Fact Sheet ........................ 5

Police Department General Information ................................ 6-7

Division of Engineering: Project Costs and Status .................. 8-10

Recreation Community Services Fact Sheet ................................. 11

Reduce Services

Earned Income Taxor

CROSSROADS

www.WoosterAtCrossroads.com

Wooster at a Crossroads

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The City of Wooster is

dedicated to being open,

honest and transparent.

Our intention is to inform

the residents regarding

the current fiscal state of

the city and the options

we face as a community.

▶ TheCityofWoosteriscurrentlyoperatingata1%earnedincometaxrate,arateamongstthelowestinNortheastOhio

▶ Earnedincometaxratehasbeenunchangedsince1970

▶ Todate,theCityofWoosterhascutover$2millionfromitsbudget,includingthereductionofstaffbyover30employees

City of Wooster Background Information

Reduce Services

Earned Income Taxor

CROSSROADS

Where Do My Property Taxes Go?

City - $0.07

MRDD - $0.01

School - $0.78

County - $0.14

Propertytaxesaretaxesassessedontheownerofrealestate,butwheredothosepropertytaxesgo?

Propertytaxesinfluenceavarietyofentities,butthecityonlyreceives7centsoneverydollar.Theearnedincometaxprovidesthecitywithrevenuenecessarytooperatethecity.Thechartbelowdescribeswhereyourpropertytaxesgo:

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A significant reduction in state funding, and an overall revenue decline due to the economy has placed Wooster at a crossroads.

Current Economic Environment

Possible .5% Earned Income Tax Increase

An Earned Income Tax:What IS taxed?▶Wages▶ Tips▶ Self-employedearnings▶ Partnershipincome▶ Rentalincome

What IS NOT taxed?▶ Interest▶ Dividends▶ Capitalgains▶ Pensions

▶ Annuityincome▶ Unemployment▶ Incomefromestates▶ SocialSecuritybenefits

▶ Approximately.25%ofnewrevenuewillgotowardsretainingservices

▶ Approximately.25%ofnewrevenuewillgotowardscapitalimprovementprojects

New earned income tax rate would be 1.5% - still amongst the lowest in Northeast Ohio▶ ThisissuewillbevotedonbyWoosterCitycouncilinDecember2012

tobeplacedontheMay2013ballot.

▶ The.5%increasewouldcostsomeoneearning $50,000peryearanadditional$20.83permonth

GET INfOrMED.For more information please visit:

www.woosteratcrossroads.com

The City has two options:•Generatenewrevenuetosupportservices.

•Significantlyreduceservices



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Reduce Services

Earned Incomeor

CROSSROADS

If It Passes

If It fails

▶Continueofferingitscitizensthelevelofpoliceprotectiontheyareaccustomedtowhilepreservingfourjobs

▶ Continueofferingtheleveloffireprotectionresidentsareaccustomedtowhilepreservingsixjobs

▶Maintainrecreationalprograms(includingbasketball,soccerandbaseballleagues)whilepreservingfourjobs

▶Maintaintheoperationofallthreecitypoolsandthesubsidizedtaxiservice

▶Fundcapitalimprovementprojects,includingrepairingofcityroads

▶Reduceitspoliceforcebyfourofficers

▶Reduceamountofsquadcarsrunningfromsixtofive

▶ONLYbeabletorespondtocrimesinprogress,andexperienceslowerresponsetimesoverall

▶Reduceitsfiredepartmentbysixfirefighters

▶Experienceslowerresponsetimesforfireemergencies by2-4minutes

▶Reduceitsrecreationdepartmentbyfourindividuals

▶Cutallrecreationprograms(includingbasketball,soccerandbaseballleagues).

▶ClosedownFreedlanderandKnightsFieldpools

▶Eliminatethesubsidizedtaxiservice

▶Placecapitalimprovementprojects,includingrepairing cityroads,onhold

If the proposed earned income tax passes, the City of Wooster will be able to:

If the proposed earned income tax fails, the City of Wooster will be forced to:

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▶TheWoosterFireDivisionappliedfor,andreceived,over$365,000ingrantstofundneededequipmentandsuppliesinthepast4years

▶TheFireDivisionrenegotiatedthecontractschedulewithourEMSbillingservice,savingmorethan$32,000in2011

▶TheWoosterFireDivisionreceivedover$18,000inEMSGrantsoverthepast6years,helpingtodecreasethecostofsuppliesandmaterials,andtoassistinthepurchaseoftrainingequipment

▶TheWoosterFireDivisionhasreceivednumerouscommendationsfromtheWoosterCommunityHospitalandlocaltraumacentersforpatientcareinthetreatmentofstroke

▶Thecity’ssafetyserviceshascompletedafeasibilitystudytoassessemergencydispatchingservices,withthelongtermgoalofimprovingservicetothecommunityandreducingcoststothecity’sgeneralfund

▶TheWoosterfirefightersvolunteertheirtimeannuallytoreplaceover120batteriesinsmokedetectors,orreplacetheunits,foritsresidents

▶AllWoosterFireDivisionofficerscompletedtrainingin2011toobtainNationalStandardcertificationasfireofficerstobetterservethecommunity

▶TheFireDivisionhassaved$7,000peryearinthereductionofcontractservicesandsuppliesorderedforthepast2years

▶MembersoftheFireDivisionhavenotreceivedapayincreasesince2010,andhaveofferedinthelastcollectivebargainingagreementtotakeno pay increases throughtheendoftheagreementin2014.

▶TheWoosterFireDivisionhasreduceditsoperatingcostspercapitaby8%overthe past2years

▶MembersoftheWoosterFireDivisionhaveraisedover$10,000indonationsforseverallocalcharitiesinthelast4years

▶Thecosttosupplyeachfiredivisionmemberwiththerequiredpersonalprotectiveequipmenttofightafireis$6,850

▶MembersoftheWoosterFireDivisionaremandatedbythestatetohaveaminimumof61hoursoftrainingannuallytokeepstatecertificationtoperformtheirjobs

▶Inadditiontofireandemergencymedicalcalls,membersoftheWoosterFireDivisionarealsotrainedfor,andrespondto,numerousotherincidentswhichinclude:hazardousmaterialspillmitigation,confinedspacerescueandelectrical,carbonmonoxideandnaturalgasemergencies

Wooster fire Division fact Sheet



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Wooster Police Department: General Information Response Reduction 2012Currently, the Wooster Police Departmenthas21officersonpatrol.AccordingtoamanpowerstudybasedonPoliceDepartmentDatafrom2004-2011,thereshouldbe32officersonpatrol.TheWoosterPoliceDepartmentisoperatingatstaffinglevelslowerthanthosein1975.Whilestaffinghasdecreased,callsforserviceandpopulationhaveincreased.Forexample,thecity’spopulationhasincreasedby38%,thecity’ssquaremileagehasincreasedby80%andcallsforservicehaveincreasedby277%.

Furthermore,callsforservicearenolongersimplydocumentinginformationonpaper.Callsaredocumentedwithcopiessavedoncomputers,photographsmaybetaken,fingerprintingmaybeattempted,DNAcollectionmaybewarrantedandevidencemayneedtobegatheredandlogged.Advancementsinpolicinghaveledtoincreasedtimesinhandlingwhatusedtobesimplecallsforservice.

1975 2011 INCReASeCallsforService 6,821 18,893 277%

OfficersonPatrol 22 23 4.5%

Population 18,996 26,119 37.5%

CitySquareMiles 9.66 17.33 79.4%

AdultArrests 2,175 4,565 110%

ActiveWarrants 128 1,014 692%

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•In2011theWoosterPoliceDepartmentreceivedover$12,000fromtheDepartmentofJusticetopurchasenewbullet-proofvestsforallDepartmentOfficers.

•TheWoosterPoliceDepartmentobtainedagrantfromtheStateofOhiotoimplementanin-carcomputerreportingsystem.ThisallowsOfficerstocompleteminorreportsintheircruisers.

•In2012theWoosterPoliceDepartmentwasabletotradein4yearolddutyweaponsinexchangefornewdutyweaponsandholstersatnocost.

•In2012,inconjunctionwithWoosterCommunityHospital,afull-timeHospitalResourceOfficerwasplacedatthehospital.ThispositionisfullyfundedbyWoosterCommunityHospital.

•WorkingcollaborativelywithWoosterCitySchools,theWoosterPoliceDepartmentprovidedAlicetraining(amethodofescape,counterandevacuationinthecaseofaviolentintruder)forallschooladministrationandallstaffofWoosterHighSchool.

•TheWoosterPoliceDepartmentworkedwithWoosterCitySchoolstoobtainagrantforover$7000tocontinuetofundtheSchoolResourceOfficerProgram.

•In2012theDepartmenthosteditsfirstBicycleRodeo.Duringthisevent,everychildreceivedafreebicyclehelmetandeducationinbicyclesafety.

•TheWoosterPoliceDepartment,inconjunctionwiththeWayneCountySheriff’sOfficeandMedway,placedadrugdropboxinthelobbyoftheWayneCountyJusticeCenter.Thisboxhascollectedhundredsofpoundsofprescriptiondrugs,keepingthemoffofthestreet.

•In2012TheWoosterPoliceDepartmentbecameoneofthefirstpoliceagenciesintheStateofOhiotoimplementtheLexipolPolicyManual.Thisextensiveprojectprovidedapolicymanualthatisuptodateandbasedoncaselaw.Inaddition,thismanualhelpedtheagencyreduceitsoverallinsurancecostswhileprovidingupdatedtrainingtoOfficers.

•In2012theWoosterPoliceDepartmentbegananin-servicetrainingprogramforallofficers.Thistrainingensuresthatofficersaremeetingmandatedtrainingrequirements,whilesavingmoneybyhostingthetrainingin-houseratherthansendingofficersacrossthestate.

•MembersofthePoliceDivisionhavenotreceivedapayincreasesince2010,andhaveofferedinthelastcollectivebargainingagreementtotakenopayincreasesthroughtheendoftheagreementin2013.Inthistimespan,theCity’sgeneralfundwillseeanestimatedsavingsofapproximately$295,000.

General Information (cont.)



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TheDivisionofEngineeringhasattemptedtomeetthecity’smissioninthemostcosteffectivewaypossible.Mostinfrastructureprojectsaredesigned,managedandinspectedin-housebyEngineeringDivisionstaff,keepingaveragefeesforprofessionalservicesnear3%for2011.Theindustryaveragefordesignandprofessionalengineeringcostsis8%to11%oftheestimatedconstructioncosts.ThevalueofengineeringservicesprovidedbytheDivisionofEngineeringformajorprojectsalonewasover$958,714in2011.Thisisasavingsofover$250,000indesignservicecostsalone.

Infrastructureexpenditureshavebeenreducedtoonlythoseitemsreceivingoutsidefunding.Inaddition,thecityparticipationamountshavebeenreducedbyeliminatingcontractualserviceswherepossible,andbyprovidingsurveying,designandconstructionadministrationserviceswithin-housestaff.

Byutilizingnearly$400,000ingrantmoney,theDivisionofEngineeringhasbeenabletocontinuepaving,roadwayandsewerseparationprojectswithminimaldirectcosttothecity.MelroseDriveImprovements,

OakHillParkandPavementRehab-Microsurfacingarejustafewexamplesofprojectsutilizinggrantmoney.Forbudgetyears2012through2013,justover$9.3millioninfrastructureprojectswerebudgeted,withonly2.1%($196,350)comingfromthecity’sgeneralfund.

TheDivisionofEngineeringiscurrentlymanaging6infrastructureprojects,with2additionalprojectsoutforadvertisementthatwillbecompletedin2012.Thetotaldollarvalueofconstructionprojectscompleted,orunderconstruction,in2012isjustover$5,750,000.Contractamountsweremorethan8%underbudget,andfinalconstructioncostsarerunning1.1%lowerthanthecontractsawardedprice,whichequatestoover$500,000insavings.

Since2010,theDivisionofEngineeringhassecuredover$3.5millioningrantsandzerointerest loans for infrastructure projects.Additionally,theDivisionofEngineeringhasgeneratedmorethan$250,000inrevenuein2011alone;throughpermits,permissivetaxreimbursements,andODOTengineeringcostreimbursements.

Division of Engineering: Project Costs and Status

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SR585/Akron Road Reconstruction – Phase 1 : Thisprojectwasdesignedwiththeintenttoreducecongestionandimprovesafetybyinstallingstormsewers,curb,gutterandsidewalks,bikelane,addingaturnlane,flatteningthecurveandreconfiguringlaneusageatPortageRoad,andprovidinganewsurfacecoarseovertheexistingroadwaybetweenOldAirportRoadandGatewayDrive.

TheprojectwasbidoninApril,2011,withatotalof5contractorssubmittingbidproposals.StoutExcavatingwasawardedthecontractatabidof$1,751,087.88.Workbeganimmediately,andtheroadwayprojectwascompletedinJune2012withafinalcompletionpriceof$1,791,694.ODOTfundingforthisprojectpaidfor80%ofconstruction,andreimbursed80%ofconstructionengineeringcosts.

Melrose Drive Improvements: TheWoosterEngineeringDivisioncompletedthedesigntoimproveapproximately4,200linearfeetofMelroseDrivebywideningtheroadway,improvingintersectionsandupgradingutilities.

ThecontractwasawardedtoTerraValleyExcavatingatabidpriceof$1,988,022.UtilityrelocationsandclearingoftheareabeganinNovember,2011.Excavatingforstormsewerandwaterlineplacementhasbeencompleted,andTerraValleyiscurrentlyworkingonroadwayconstructionatthesouthendofMelrose.TheprojectwillbesubstantiallycompletedbytheendofNovember2012,withthecontractorcomingbackinthespringtoperformsomehousekeepingandanytouchupstothesite.

1.WaterFund 9%2.SanitarySewerFund 2%3.StormSewerFund 21%4.PermissiveTax(LicenseTax) 24%5.CapitalImprovementFund 3%6.StateIssue2(Grant) 20%7.PropertyOwnerAssessments 21%

CONSTRuCTION fuNDINg fOR ThIS

PROjeCT CAMe fROM MANy SOuRCeS:

Project Costs and Status (cont.)



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Safe Routes to Schools:TheCityofWooster,inconjunctionwiththeWoosterCitySchools,hasdeterminedseveralareaswithinthecitythatwillbenefitfrominstallationofsidewalks;enablingagreaternumberofstudentstosafelywalktoschool,whichshouldhelpreducetrafficcongestionatmanyoftheelementaryschools.WithfinancingthroughODOT,thefirstareatobeimprovedwillbeMelroseDrivefromPortageRoadtoMelroseElementarySchool.

Thissidewalkprojectwasrecentlybidout,andthecontractwasawardedtoTerraValleyExcavatingatabidpriceof$68,488.50(40%underbudget).TerraValleywillbeginthisprojectimmediately,tobesubstantiallycompletedbyNovember30,2012.Thisprojectis90%fundedbyODOT.

Burbank Road Waterline – Phase 1: ThisprojectwasdesignedbytheWoosterEngineeringDivisionandconsistsofreplacingexistingunder-sizedandcorrodedcastironwatermains,upgradingwaterservicesandreplacingfirehydrants.TheprojectlimitsarefromtheintersectionofBurbankandClevelandRoadtothesouthandnorthtoElmDrive.FundingforthisprojectwillbeacombinationofanOhioEPAloanandOPWC$500,000grant.

TheprojectwasadvertisedforbiddinginAugust,2011.G.E.Bakerwasawardedthecontractatabidpriceof$706,473.00.Theworkwascompletedsummerof2012,withafinalcontractpriceof$659,217(6.7%undercontractamount).

2012 Microsurfacing Program: Thisprojectisbeingfunded80%byODOT’sLargeCityFundingprogram.ItwasdeterminedbytheWoosterEngineeringDivisionthatthecitycouldbenefitbyinstitutingthemicrosurfacingapplicationtolengthenthelifeofroadwaysbyseveralyears.Theprocesswasfirstusedsuccessfullyin2011on5differentroadswithinthecitylimits.The2012microsurfacingprogramincludedOakHillbetweenWayneandOldmanandQuinbybetweenWayneandBowman.

Project Costs and Status (cont.)Projects Completed/Started in 2012:SR585 Phase 1 100% complete, within budget (80% funded through grants)

Melrose Drive 90% complete, within budget (25% funded through grants)

Burbank Road Water Line 100% complete, within budget (15% funded through grants, 91% of cost to the city funded by a no interest loan)

Microsurfacing (Oak Hill/Quinby) 100% complete, within budget (80% funded through grants)

Lowry Center Crosswalk 100% complete, within budget (50% funded by the College of Wooster)

Wooster Gateway 80% complete, within budget (80% funded through grants)

Did You Know?The City of Wooster has endeavored to extend the life of roads and pavement while conserving costs. Below are some standard costs for road construction and maintenance:

Roads:New Construction - $500/ft. (standard two lane road with concrete curb and gutter)Mill and Fill - $100,000/lane mile (11' wide lane)Microsurfacing - $25,000/lane mile (11' wide lane)

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recreation Community Services fact SheetSubsidized Taxi Program offers affordable transportation for over 500 Wooster residents each year Transports

• 2009–45,301 • 2010–38,069 • 2011–47,700

Participants • 2009–575 • 2010–529 • 2011–528

Take in an average of 10,700 registrations each year Registrations

• 2009–11,347 • 2010–10,743 • 2011–10,090

Total Participations • 2009–298,169 • 2010–213,294 • 2011–185,413

Offer over 80 affordable programs, events and classes to seniors, adults and youth every year Programs

• 2009–94 • 2010–99 • 2011–82

Provide a Fitness Room for customers 50 and older from around the area. The Fitness Room includes 5 treadmills, 3 eliptical machines and many other cardio and fitness machines Passes Sold

• 2009–242 • 2010–135 • 2011–175

An average of 51,000 users attend City of Wooster pools each year Attendance

• 2009–51,545 • 2010–58,557 • 2011–44,087

In the last three years, the City of Wooster Recreation Department has benefited from over 63,000 hours of community volunteer service Number of hours served by

community volunteers • 2009–33,914 • 2010–16,367 • 2011–13,465

What does the Wooster Recreation Department Offer Wooster?• QualityofLifeforWoosterresidents

• CommunityAssistance,InformationReferralsandAdvocacy Center

• SpecialEventsforallages

• Workcloselywithserviceandoutreachgroups

• Socialgatheringplace

• Caringandefficientcustomerservice

• EconomicImpactonWoosterbusinesses

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Wooster City Hall538 N. Market St.Wooster, OH 44691

City of Wooster


Documents

City of Wooster Community Newsletter Winter 2012