Mayor's Message by Craig A. Stough
January 6, 2022
"City of Sylvania Ready for 2022"
(read the last Mayor's Message)
The City of Sylvania is ready for 2022! Equipped with a balanced budget, an Annexation/JEDD Agreement with Sylvania Township and continued lower water rates, the City is looking forward to the promise and challenges of the coming year.
City of Sylvania Mayor,
Craig A. Stough
Sylvania City Council unanimously approved the 2022 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets during their November 15th meeting after several weeks of Finance Committee review and meetings. The Operating Budget is balanced with current revenues. The Capital Improvements Budget is supplemented with several State of Ohio construction grants. The books for 2021 were closed without any additional allocations in the major funds.
City operations continue to be more efficient with fewer employees than fifteen years ago. Overtime is being monitored, equipment life is being extended and budgets are regularly reviewed for greater efficiency. City services have not been curtailed and tax rates have not been raised. Although down in 2020 due to the pandemic, income tax revenue rebounded last year as businesses continue to invest in Sylvania.
The City of Sylvania begins the new year with its Annexation/JEDD Agreement with Sylvania Township in full effect. Our two communities are moving forward and cooperating for greater efficiency and quality of life for all our residents. The first JEDD is operating at the Crescent, an independent living community that is part of Oak Leaf Village, on Holland-Sylvania Road, collecting payroll income taxes shared by the City and Sylvania Township.
In addition, water rates reduced 25% in 2020 for City of Sylvania customers continue at that lower rate. The Regional Water Commission established with the City of Toledo and its eight customer communities is operating and regularly monitoring water safety, operations and rates.
Sylvania City Council's every other year Organizational Meeting was held January 3rd. The meeting is required by the City Charter to be held no later than January 8th following each City Council election that is held every two years in the odd numbered years. The two re-elected City Council members Mary Westphal and Patrick Richardson and newly elected member Marcus Hansen were sworn in.
The new City Council then declared itself duly constituted of seven elected and duly qualified members. Mark Frye was re-elected as City Council President. Committee chairmanship and assignments were distributed by President Frye and confirmed by vote of City Council.
2022 Sylvania City Council: Front Row Lyndsey Stough, Mark Frye, Mary Westphal; Back Row Doug Haynam, Patrick Richardson, Brian McCann, Marcus Hansen.
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