City of Wooster January 2014 Winter Newsletter

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City of WoosterWinter NewsletterJanuary 2014

www.woosteroh.com

Message from the Mayorwant to thank the residentsof Wooster for all of yoursupport in passing the earnedincome tax increase in May.Over the past few years, thecity has strived to maintaina high level of service to its

residents in the face of severe budgetcuts. By voting for the increase, you haveshown that you share the citys vision ofmaintaining city services and protectingthe quality of life in Wooster that we allvalue. We interpret the margin of victoryas an expression of your faith in myadministration to act responsibly withthe funding that will be provided, andwe look forward to keeping the promisesthat we have made.

Moving forward, we will maintainthe strategic philosophy that wascontinuously conveyed to the publicfor both operations and capitalimprovements. We will continueto evaluate each budgeted, capitalexpenditure and will proceed only if theproposed work is deemed necessary foroperations and maintaining services.Simultaneously, we will be working todevelop short-term and long-term goals

as part of strategic planning for eachdivision, department and the city as awhole.

As promised, the City of Wooster and itsemployees will also continue to maintaintransparency and fiscal responsibility.We have committed to move forwardwith balanced budgets, and we intend

to follow through on that commitment.We will continue to apply and utilizegrant funding whenever possible. Mostimportantly, we pledge to maintain openlines of communication with the public.

Thank you again, residents of Wooster.It is an honor to serve a community thatcontinues to value the quality of life thathas made our city great.

-Bob Breneman

Inside:

CommunityReinvestment ........... 2-3

Housing Inspectionsto be Conducted in theTraditional ResidentialNeighborhoods ............ 4

Wooster ReceivesBoost in its ISORating ........................ 5

Financial Information -2014 Budget ........... 6-7

Wooster EnvisionedPublic Meeting .......... 7


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City of Wooster

The City of Woosters Economic and Community Development oce

facilitates and promotes community quality of life and economic

development in order to enhance local business development and

manage community development programs. In collaboraon with

mulple economic development partners, the City of Wooster is

proud to administer the following programs to improve quality of life

and to create housing and business development opportunies:

CDBG:Community Development Block Grants- Allocaon Grants (infrastructure and services, totaling $75,000

in 2013)

- Downtown Redevelopment Grants (totaling $250,000 in 2012

currently in process)

Residenal CRA:Community Reinvestment Area- Wooster homeowners may receive 10-year tax abatements

for rehabilitang, expanding, or building new homes in historic

neighborhoods, saving thousands of dollars

- Aided improvements to 56 homes since its incepon in 2004(totaling $1.6 million in improvements)

- Please visit www.woosteroh.com/ResidenalCRA.php to learn

more

CHIP:Community Housing Improvement Program- $500,000 grant that had aided 25 homes since 2012

o Home repair: 13 homes (2012 2013)

o Down payment assistance on two homes

o Private owner rehabilitaon for ve homes o Private rental rehabilitaon for ve homes

Addionally, the City of Woosters Economic and Community

Development Department supports business aracon and retenon

in collaboraon with WEDC and mulple state agencies, through

leveraging mulple tax incenves and programs, including:

Community ReinvestmentYour Tax Dollarsat WorkThe mission of the City of Woosteris to partner with our community todeliver services, conserve resources,protect quality of life and plan for thefuture. This includes a variety of corevalues, including stewardship andtrust. Following these core values, weare dedicated to communicating how

your tax dollars are being utilized toprovide valuable city services andcapital improvement projects. Thefollowing capital improvements wereable to take place in 2013. In 2014,we will continue a focus on capitalimprovements.

Roadway Projects: $6 million($4.7 million grant funding fromODOT)

Wayne Avenue PavingBurbank Road Paving

Burbank Road Paving

Continued on page 3


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Your Tax Dollars

at Work Water System Projects: $5.9

million ($2 million in grantfunding)

Sewer System Projects: $3.7million ($0.2 million in grantfunding)

Sidewalk Projects: $630,000($567,000 in grant funding)

Business CRA:More than 21 businesses have commied tohiring or retaining jobs through this program, which typically oers a

50% property tax abatement on the improved real estate value over

10 years for new construcon or facility expansions. Projects with

exceponal impact have received 12-year and 100% abatements.

Learn more at www.woosteroh.com/development.php.

Enterprise Zone:Oers a 10-year, 50% to 75% property taxabatement for new construcon or expansion projects that employ

or retain 10 or more jobs. 11 businesses have taken advantage of

this property tax abatement program. Up to 100% property tax

abatements have been awarded to a number of companies making

extraordinary workforce investments.

CDBG Economic Grants:Supporng infrastructuredevelopment to support business development

CIC:Wooster Growth Community Improvement Corporaon

As taxpayers, you have been invesng in your community. We are

commied to doing the same, by reinvesng in both our residents

and local businesses. As Wooster connues to move forward, we

are commied to the connuaon of programs that make posive

impacts on those that live in and visit the City of Wooster.

Water Pollution Control Plant - Solids Receiving

Glenn Ave Water and Sewer Improvements

Water Pollution Control Plant - New Digesters

Spring Street Waterline



In December 2013, the

city hired a full-me

inspector to enforce the

Property Maintenance

Code, Planning and Zoning

Code and other relatedordinances. The goal of this

posion is to enhance the

quality of life for residents

while preserving and

improving the housing stock value through ensuring that housing

exteriors, as well as interiors, are receiving proper upkeep.

The Property Maintenance/Planning and Zoning Code Inspector will

iniate a new program of regular periodic inspecons of parcels

located in the RT District (Tradional Residenal). The RT District

surrounds the downtown business district and contains approximately1,762 parcels. The majority of the homes located in this district date

back to before 1935 and require increased maintenance. Inspecons

will be performed from the right-of-way with emphasis on the

exterior structure and property. Based on those observaons, an

interior inspecon may be requested.

Although regular periodic inspecons will be focused in the RT

District, The Property Maintenance Inspector will sll respond to

needs throughout the city. For more informaon about property

maintenance and zoning code enforcement, please visit

www.woosteroh.com and look under the City Services tab, or call

the City at 330-263-5200 x 362.

The City of Wooster is a community that we are proud to be a part

of. Through this iniave, we will ensure that our homes reect the

same pride that our residents show by being a part of Wooster.

Housing Inspections to be

Conducted in the Traditional

Residential Neighborhoods

FAQsAre inspections random?

Inspections will be made blockby block until the whole districtis covered. These blocks will beselected randomly in each of the 4main sections of the district.

Can inspections be scheduled?

Scheduling is not necessary because

they are exterior inspections. Ifwarranted by exterior conditions aninterior inspection will be scheduledand we will contact the owner.

When will they begin?

We began in December. We donot know how long it will take tocomplete the district but estimate

it will take 2 to 3 years for the firstinspections.

What if the inspection fails?

We will take the normal enforcementactions including: notifying theowner of the violations and requiredactions, abating the violations andcertifying the cost to the auditor forassessment and prosecution. We will

work with owners as long as there isprogress.


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The City of Wooster has received an increase in its ISO rang, an insurance rang in relaon to the citys ability

to provide re protecon. Wooster moved from a class 4 rang of 66.4% from a 1997 audit to a class 3 rang

of 79.06%. There are three categories reviewed when determining an ISO rang. Below are Woosters results:

The biggest adjustment in ISO rang from the previous audit was in the amount of points awarded in the Fire

Department category, which increased from a class 5 rang of 59.4% to a class 3 rang of 71.7%. The most

notable reasons for this increase include trainings, city emergency analysis and deployment and credit for

personnel.

Lower class rangs have the potenal to provide a cost savings in insurance premiums, but it is not necessarily

guaranteed. The individual insurance agency and the type of building being insured make this determinaon.

For more informaon on potenal savings, please contact your insurance agency.

Wooster Receives Boost in its ISO Rating

1. Fire Alarms (Dispatch) - 71.0% of 10 total points

2. Fire Department 71.7% of 50 total points

3. Water Supply 89.3% of 40 total points



Revenue Source Defnions:

TAXES- includes City levied income tax of 1.50% on substanally all income earned within the

City, Citys poron of taxes due on real property [7 cents of each dollar paid], and bed tax: a levy

imposed by the City on hotel stays within Wooster City limits.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL- encompasses revenue sharing programs from the state and federal

government, including but not limited to grants and local government revenue sharing program

CHARGES FOR SERVICES- includes fees for services such as recreaon programs, community

center programs, and emergency medical service runs.

SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS- taxes levied on real estate that require that property owners pay for

improvements such as streets, curbs and similar items that benet their real estate.

FINES, LICENSES & PERMITS- includes building permit fees, zoning permit fees and plan review

fees.

MISCELLANEOUS- encompasses rents, cable TV franchise fees, proceeds from sales of assets,

and donaons.

INTEREST INCOME- revenue earned by invesng available city funds throughout the year.

INTERFUND- includes repayments by funds to other funds for expenses incurred on its behalf.

Where the Money Comes From Amount Percent

TAXES $16,968,400 57.6%

INTERGOVERNMENTAL $8,310,739 28.2%

CHARGES FOR SERVICES $1,438,290 4.9%

SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS $246,700 0.8%

FINES, LICENSES & PERMITS $584,220 2.0%

MISCELLANEOUS $368,100 1.3%

INTEREST INCOME $27,628 0.1%

INTERFUND $1,500,000 5.1%

Total Revenue $29,444,077 100.0%

58%28%

5%1%

2%1%

0%

5%

Where the Money Comes FromTAXES

INTERGOVERNMENTAL

CHARGES FOR SERVICES

SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

FINES, LICENSES & PERMITS

MISCELLANEOUS

INTEREST INCOME

INTERFUND

Financial Information -

2014 Budget


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Expenditure by Type Defnions:

SAFETY SERVICES- includes Police, Fire, EMS, Trac Signals, and Street Lighng.

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES- includes expenses related to the Citys share of services performed

by the County Board of Health.

LEISURE SERVICES- encompasses the services, programs and facilies provided by the Parks &

Recreaon Division.

ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT- encompasses the services of Building Standards, Zoning,

Planning, Code Compliance, and Economic Development.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES- includes all costs associated with the maintenance and repair of

City roads and related infrastructure.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES- includes funcons serving the City as a whole, including: Mayors

Oce, City Aorney, Director of Administraon, Finance, Human Resources, Informaon

Technology, and City Council.

DEBT SERVICES- encompasses principal and interest payments on general government

municipal debt. Does not include debt serviced by City business type funds, such as Water and

Sewer.

CAPITAL OUTLAY- encompasses expenditures on the Citys Capital Improvement Program

projects, such as road improvements/resurfacing and capital equipment. One-half of the

recently passed income tax increase will be used to pay for the capital improvements. This does

not include capital expenditures for assets of the business type funds such as water and sewer.

Wooster EnvisionedPublic MeetingWooster is creating a blueprint forthe future, and we want you to joinus to remain informed on all that ishappening in your city. Please joinus on January 23, 2014 at 6 p.m. foour first public meeting coveringthe Wooster Comprehensive PlanUpdate at the Wooster Community

Center. The plan, which wasoriginally prepared in 2002, iscurrently being updated with theintent to have the plan completedthis summer.

Where the Money Goes Amount Percent

SAFETY SERVICES $11,938,808 42.2%

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES $135,000 0.5%

LEISURE SERVICES $1,744,925 6.2%

ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT $1,206,391 4.3%

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES $2,418,807 8.6%

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES $3,568,842 12.6%

DEBT SERVICES $835,491 3.0%

CAPITAL OUTLAY $6,423,092 22.7%

Total Expenditures $28,271,356 100.0%

42%

0%

6%4%9%

13%

3%

23%

Where the Money Goes

SAFETY SERVICES

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

LEISURE SERVICES

ENVIRONMENT &

DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES


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

www.woosteroh.com

City of Wooster

Documents

City of Wooster January 2014 Winter Newsletter