By DAVE SCHULTZ
Without much fanfare, the Bluffton Common Council has approved the city’s 2024 budget Tuesday night on the first reading.
Council members hashed out the budget particulars in several work sessions and approved its final form last month. Approval on first reading means it will be subject to a second and final reading at the council’s next meeting Oct. 17.
Up for discussion Tuesday night were ordinances on the overall budget and the salary ordinances for the fire department, police department, and city employees.
Council members also approved on first reading a change in the council’s meeting start times.
It was a unique year, because the salaries for the fire department now come from the newly-established and revamped fire territory that includes all of Harrison and Lancaster townships, and the police department’s salaries have been calculated by using a pay matrix. The pay matrix will be standard operating procedure throughout the city’s payroll, but Scott Mentzer, the council’s president, is still working on that.
All matters that were put up for a vote were approved 5-0 with Mentzer, Janella Stronczek, Josh Hunt, Chandler Gerber, and Rick Elwell all voting in favor.
The council delayed matters involving the setting of official paid holidays, but took no action on it. That change will also require an ordinance, and it was decided to wait until the pay matrix was approved before changing holidays.
The goal, Mentzer said, was to bring the city’s holiday schedule more in line with the county’s.
daves@news-banner.com
