West Carrollton administrators are also recommending pushing back work on sidewalk, curbs and gutters, and extending the North Elm Street streetscape project – which was set to be all done this year – through 2021.
Like most area cities, West Carrollton expects to lose a chunk of this year’s projected income tax revenue because of COVID-19 business shutdowns.
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Collections from businesses make up about $5.8 million of West Carrollton’s $8.4 million general fund, records show.
It’s not yet known how much those tax revenues will fall short of projections, but the current thought is between 10 and 20%, West Carrollton City Manager Brad Townsend said.
“At $682,000, if we take a 20% hit we should be OK” with capital improvements by delaying these projects, Townsend said. “So it’s kind of a safety valve at this point.”
The city is required to spend .05% of its 2.25% income tax on capital improvements, records show.
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The sidewalk, curb and gutter work is on West Carrollton City Council’s agenda tonight. Townsend said he is asking council to delay the start of that program – which is expected to cost $153,000 – until later in the year.
“I’d rather not be doing this now because we’re guessing at this point,” Townsend said.
But with the sidewalk, curb and gutter work set to be voted on tonight, “it just kind of made sense to go ahead and do it now.”
The city is also looking to extend the North Elm streetscape work – near the $4.5 million Miami Valley Sand complex and the city rec center — into next year. Completing the project in 2021 would save about $112,000 this year, Townsend said.
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That project is a significant element in the revitalization plan for the city center, West Carrollton Planning and Community Development Director Greg Gaines has said.
The area is a place city officials would like to hold public gatherings and community events, such as concerts, food truck gatherings and city-wide block parties, he said.
The North Elm work is projected to cost $148,000, with West Carrollton paying $88,000 and a Community Development Block Grant funding $60,000, city records show.
The city has worked with area merchants and plans to plant trees, improve sidewalks and curbs, installing planters, pavers, and improving the lighting and electrical access, Gaines said.
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Administrators are recommending much of the infrastructure work will be done this year, but other elements be delayed, Townsend said.
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