Commission Meeting June 17, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c9kAIpDtoo&list=PLgMuFaWBmSmjFgIDHxsgm-XVNqgWfz52w

All there.

**Presentations/Staff Report
Retreat in the Spring to do the 2026 tax budget.
Income tax revenue has flattened. The growth post-pandemic has stopped.
2021 -2022 9 million total.
2023-May 2025- only added 3 million total.
Federal relief funds - Cares Act and American rescue act funds they used to balance the budget are exhausted.
They depended on these federal funds to balance the budget. They have no separate rainy day fund. This cuts
Positive: They've instituted Regional Income Tax Agency RITA - for collections and compliance.
Economic Development and growth across the city, but they take time.
We need to focus on core services and efficiencies.
2026 Revenue Budget: (estimate - done every July per state law)
(October City Mgr budget deadline, then a public hearing.)
Report published somewhere?
General fund mostly funded by income tax:
47Million - up 81%.
Year over year decline hasn't occurred since early days of Covid.
1.26 BILLION????
Gas sales tax funds our roads.
So for 2026,
Total 130Mill
General 53MILL
Then, a little Zoning hearing.

**Rue/Estrop Statement
FIRE???? 19mill - what the hell? We're not Arizona. This was talked about later during the self-back-pats - 3 NEW fire houses. https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/new-east-side-springfield-fire-station-opens-also-features-police-substation/52K74DWMN5GUXKWZENLCOFSROQ/


"American Rescue funds were helpful in investing back into our city." (The HAITIANs got that money. Translators, medical, driver training and services - all went to them.)
Rue said they're building 3 fire houses! Replacing 50+ years old ones.
So Estrop is gonna summarize for us. we have to increase revenue or decrease expenses or both. (The genius that is this man.) The state doesn't help us. The state will not say nice things about him, but the state has taken away local gov't monies. They restricted who we collected income tax from. The state has hurt us in revenues. Higher prices on everything now. Now we have to cut back. So, fuck the citizens, as usual. You burned through Rescue money on non-citizens and we pay for it now.

Were it not for the people of Springfield approving the income tax levy, we would've been bankrupt years ago. Thanks the citizens for voting for the levy.

**Citizen Speakers
Kicks off with Rue reading their made-up guidelines/rules about how to behave. We respect first amendment, but disruptive not tolerated. Commission members are taking notes and answers will be addressed at the next meeting. Or follow up with individuals and post on the website.

Clara Copeland - South Yellow Springs Road is done. Bryan did a happy dance when Derr was done. Thank you. And thank you for our police officers being a support presence when we have events like this. S Center Street - huge fire, 2 people died. House is still there. Why? Street lights that are out, trying to get numbers, called no support, what do we do? And the drains in our streets. The drain was growing things that she and her grandson took care of. Told you just have to call the city. Who?

Diane Daniels - History Part 3. Resolution 2014. Heritage residents left the city. Immigrant owned business. 5-part blueprint how the city - voluntary GLobal Great Lakes and Welcoming America - Soros. Denied its existence in 2023. "welcoming" used constantly. Encourages open and civil dialog - hasn't done that. Hospitality, housing, education - all for free. No contractor of record needed for construction, no permits, no licenses, no inspections if you are an immigranot-owned business. They're not the authors, but they are the executors.

Mike Lyons - Clark County Solar Alliance - solar panels on homes. Climate change. Savings are available to everyone including the city. Our Clean Future of Ohio. - wants Springfield to join them.

Heck walked away.

Darlene Yealy - Conservatives have no voice. Articles to prove it. Jessica Oroso writes for liberals on the newspaper. Why not a conservative writer. No Kings rally - she's talking about the threats to her. I guess this was here? Police officer threatened her with arrest. The officer told her to stop following her. Police one-sided. Rue told her her time was up.

Chris Michaels - ECIO. Zoning stuff. Grenada Drive. Construction is blocking emergency services. mr. Chester should be held accountable to find an entrance/exit solution. We have a petition.

Cindy Longberry - Works for SCAT. Blindsided about going micro-transit. So was the public. We've asked for answers. Nobody has accepted our calls. Mr. Via won't speak to anyone. We don't know what's going to happen. Our busses help ADA people and carry multiple people. Vans can't. Is everyone ADA certified? Nursing homes, high-rises have been cancelled. And weren't notified. Now they wait in line for a small van from Dial a Ride. Is SCAT going to be grandfathered in? SCAT is working 50 hours a week now because nobody knows what you're doing.

Rue - we'll get some answers for you.

Steven Foster - I'm 65 lived here all my life. Lived all areas of the town. Childhood me wouldn't recognize the city now. These meetings - I've wanted to speak but didn't. The end of TPS, Ice raids, we'll be in news again. Diana will be interviewed by Fox. Cancel Culture Fest - I bet we lose federal dollars for DEI. "Following orders." I don't know what he's saying. Every elected official that hears this - you will be held accountable. Even if it's when you meet your maker. We showed you our army on Saturday. When all the illegals are deported will you start deporting atheists - you have to stop this madness. What is he saying?!?!?

Devon Hendricks - He wants to know about SCAT, too. We still talking about all this hate. Wasting your time. Nobody cares - the hate that y'all give. We gotta talk about the youth and the gun violence. The PD for walking with us. We're a loving community. Deion Green - boots on the ground, DC and in America. What is he saying? Invest in our youth.

Rhonda Moore - SCAT for 31 years, retired now, but got petitions. Uber is going to charge $6 a ride. Bus is $1 a ride. You said you'd have a meeting at the nursing home, but you didn't and they had no idea. Credit card to pre-pay each way.

Wes Fabian - Thank you for these moments to speak. It's not easy what you do. Express my gratitude to all the civic leaders and effected officials. He does this every time he speaks. And thank you to all those who serve on Boards. The tragic events of the last few days (?). What is he saying? Peaceful communication. Public trust calls for transparency and communication. Deep uncertainty of our immigrant neighbors, I hope they're taken care of. We stand at the threshold of a bright future.

Larry Heard - Resident, homeowner, tax payer, Springifeld high school grad, SCAT employee for 20 years. Told there'd be a public meeting, but it was cancelled. 2 months later, no information from anyone. No conversation, no nothing. City has a 13c agreement. Drivers don't know what to do.

Adam Banks - Can you share your plans for ICE/military agents who are coming here soon? They have enriched this town and expressed their desires to learn our culture here. Communal newcomers - not treating them as problems. Rapid removal of them will affect all of us negatively. Horror stories of improper arrests...violent escalation - flexes of military might. As commissioners who show up to breakfasts and all the programs for them, can you share your hope-filed strategy about the impending doom.

These folks were HAND PICKED again - gearing up for August. It's obvious.

**Rue's Immediate Comments

Rue - personal, these are human beings. They need to be treated fairly. Immigration reform hasn't been touched by many administrations. No room for opinion or correction in the current administration. Who's filling jobs and paying tax? Gives us whiplash as leaders. We'll focus on safety. We do not have the staff to stand in the way of federal. They have jurisdiction. We can't stop that. We can just try to ensure safety. We hate that, but it's all we can do. (Message again is citizens are dangerous. I'm sure he'll invoke emergency powers.)

"The president cannot keep our city out of his mouth..." It's still a problem. I can't wait for that next news. The biggest thing we face is the mischaracterization of our city in the news.

**Heck's Reports and Answers

About the Street lights - they have 72 hours to repair. Report to Ohio Edison. Gave them the phone number and say "street light". Provide location or light number.

About South Center Street fire - owned by a private owner. 2 people died. An estate case, possibly. Commission doesn't have control over this. He'll look into it.

About SCAT. "urban areas" - what the heck? FTA - federal program makes up 80% of our transit dollars. We've had to double our local dollars. We've had to examine the most efficient and sustainable solutions. He's not answering anyone's questions. We've gone through a RFP process - started in 2024, got no bids. TransDev - who runs SCAT - was going to get out of their contract with us. RFP again - got 3 responses. Nothing's been approved, but a new provider has been selected for the micro- transit. Supposed to be up and running July 1. Cancelled the public meeting because contract negotiations weren't completed. So, they're still going micro-transit. We've put that info out there. ADA exists. Discounted rides. Yes, there will be an app. But you can also call in. THIS IS INSANE. There will be a communication plan to our residents. And we will grow and expand in the future. We'll have a new public meeting soon. And help people understand how it works. Evaluated as the most effective means of transportation available now. "They plan to keep at the same rate as proposed." So $6. What about SCAT's jobs...is that our job to inform people. They are employees of TransDev, but the new company cannot talk to the new company yet. FTA - is 80%. 20% is what we pay. Heck's all positive that employment will be extended to SCAT employees.

(This micro-transit thing has to be a Springfield federal money short path.)

Estrop said it's illegal for commissioners to get involved in collective bargaining discussions between employer and employee. TransDev employs them. BUT. City of Springfield.....

They vote on the contract, but not the company dealings.
Rue said - your employer should be communicating with you.

**Commission Comments

Tackett
Thanks people for kids' activities. Gave more opportunities for kids. Vacation bible schools.
Thank Logan Cobb for people CBG dollars information.
Congrats to the police and fire and the citizens on the new fire house on the east side.
Transit drivers - can empathize they're in limbo. She wants to jump on a bus and listen to concerns.
School daily food program locations.

Estrop
Gun violence again this week. Estrop wants Heck's report to bring info to the community. Investments in our parks. July 1st presentation on the parks. July 15 sheriff and chief police report on violence.

Brown
Since Brown can't ever be quiet.....a resource from Deon Green about a summer camp. Fudge Foundation. "Go to www" Breaking Free to Be Teen Summit. Dr Mecca - a program "there's just so many things to do". This took her 10 minutes, of course.

Tackett again
We all recognize educational opportunities. Trying to make things more easily accessible. Bryan is breaking out meeting work sessions as separate videos on YouTube. (LOL - they're serious.)

**My Thoughts
So the work sessions are what starts each biweekly Commission meeting. They aren't work sessions, they are, at best, presentations ordered from The Don/The Bryan.

Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR4xSmIBeIQ&list=PLgMuFaWBmSmh4B5sEfwHqHR2Ay-s7p5ac