Hiram – At the December council meeting, Ed Frato-Sweeney, Chris Cobb, and other residents inquired about the proposed legislations regarding parking fees in the village. On behalf of council, President Chris Szell shared that the purpose is to raise money for the village’s general fund, specifically to bolster funding for public safety.
Assistant Village Administrator Steve Schuller noted, “I was tasked with finding additional revenue sources to help bolster the general fund and support the police department.” He continued, “Bottom line: we need to generate revenue.” He noted that a three to three-and-a-half percent tax on residents is also an option. Schuller noted that many municipalities are in a similar financial position, adding that Newton Falls Council voted to disband their Police Department at the end of 2022, relying instead of the County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Schuller, the preliminary parking fee schedule includes a proposed $100 charge for a parking permit, or potential users can pay $2.50 per hour, plus a $.35 surcharge, to use a parking app. He noted that the Police or Street Department employees would issue tickets to those not in compliance.
Councilwoman Beth Greenwood explained that paying for parking is an incremental change that admittedly won’t bring in a lot of money, but that council needs to do everything they can.
Mayor Bertrand noted, “There’s lots of tax-exempt property in the village, and not much industry. While the majority of fire department funding comes from real estate taxes in the township, the police department funding does not.” Fire Chief Bill Byers concurred, sharing, “It’s not just a police issue, it’s a public safety issue.” Byers explained that while 60% of fire department funds come from Hiram Township, the village must still provide 40% of his department’s funding through the General Fund as well. “And as a whole, costs are increasing.”
Bertrand noted that the college owns much of the village’s tax-exempt property in the village, yet still benefits from police and fire services. He noted that in 2015, Hiram College contracted with the village for police and fire services at $75,000 per year according to a contract. Today, there is no contract with the college for these services; the village provides these services on a fee-basis. Bertrand noted, however, that the college has hired independent contractors to address public safety needs, including outside ambulance services at college sporting events.
Councilman Paul Spencer remarked, “College and village finances should be separate. We sell the village short, and residents end up subsidizing the college. In 2023, it’s about time to look for another way.”
According to Council President Chris Szell, a new contract was proposed to the college in February, but negotiations were cancelled in September. Lack of an agreement led to cost-cutting measures at the police department, including the retirement of the department’s K9 officer Guapo, which saved the department $7,000 per year. Another proposed option is to do away with the third shift at the police department.
Szell noted his dismay that Hiram Village is only able to pay they men and women who protect village and college residents $15 an hour for ‘putting themselves in harm’s way’. Szell noted that since 2015, the village has lost between $35,000 – $40,000 per year providing police and fire services to the college – an estimated $330,000 over five years. “These are real numbers that we need to address.”
Both Frato-Sweeney and Cobb suggested that the financial details be shared in the ‘Communicator’, the village’s monthly newsletter to village residents.
Szell proposed that the village should hold a Town Hall meeting regarding parking fees to present several proposed scenarios to residents after the finance committee has time to ‘iron out’ more details.
The next regular council meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 10th at 7 pm; residents are encouraged to attend.
