 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 12, 2009
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||
|
March 12, 2009 |
|||||
 |
|
editorial 2009 budget prudent and visionary The 2009 Village budget gets a first vote next Monday, and a final vote several weeks later. In these difficult economic times, this budget strikes an excellent balance between caution and visionary thinking. Rather than just hunkering down, Village Council is moving forward responsibly to find new ways to prosper. The visionary part of this budget involves two new spending projects. The spending is modest in dollars but significant in how these efforts could strengthen the village. First, Council allocated $100,000 to the greenbelt fund, bringing that fund, after many years of neglect, up to $238,000. The greenbelt surrounding the village is not a luxury; rather, it’s part of what makes others want to shop here, work here and live here. According to longtime Council member Tony Bent at a recent Council meeting, surveys over decades have identified green space at the top of most villagers’ list of priorities. While completing the Jacoby greenbelt on the town’s western side has been a stated village goal for four decades, that area remains unprotected and therefore vulnerable to creeping development from Fairborn. The time to replenish the greenbelt fund is now, according to Tecumseh Land Trust leaders, who believe that several Jacoby greenbelt farms will go on the market in the next one to five years. Because a federal grant will leverage the greenbelt fund four times, the fund could turn into almost $1 million. The $100,000 for the greenbelt fund is a tiny part (about 3 percent) of the Village’s general fund, but it’s a significant addition to what’s available for farmland preservation. If the Village can’t afford to preserve the land when opportunities arise, that green space will be gone forever. Council also stated its intention to allocate $50,000 this year to upgrade Village-owned facilities for energy conservation, on the advice of the Electric System Task Force. Again, this spending is prudent; it will create conservation measures that will not only save energy, but save cash in coming years. Beyond cost savings, this budget item is also an investment in a prosperous future, since a greener village will attract green business to town. It’s significant that the Village’s general fund reserve, the clearest indicator of a community’s fiscal health, is in its best shape in many years, with a reserve of more than 50 percent of the general fund budget. This size of surplus surpasses that of most area communities, which average a reserve that is 23 percent of the general fund. Largely due to revenues from the property tax levy, the Village has addressed most of its major capital needs. Of course, even with a healthy reserve, Council needs to be prudent, especially with challenges such as last year’s closing of Antioch College. But these budget choices are both visionary and prudent, because they build on our town’s uniqueness, which is also our greatest strength. That uniqueness, both now and in the future, will ensure both the prosperity and the spirit of Yellow Springs.
|
|
