HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2007


Community support for the 1.3 mill General Fund Property Tax Replacement Levy was very strong. It passed with a significant majority. This will provide funding for general fund activities including police and fire for the next 5 years.

The bi-annual audit report was completed in 2007. The City received a very good report with no findings or citations. The audit was done by Clark, Schaefer, and Hackett and submitted to the State Auditor. The compliance part of the audit was also completed with no citations.

The City had to find a new location for their annual auction of surplus equipment. The City of Englewood no longer is holding their annual governmental auction. The City used Ancil Dodge Auction Sales in Waynesville for the first time. The outcome was very pleasing and the City will consider using theirs services again next year.

2007 was the final year of the Waste Collection contract with Dempsey. The City has enjoyed one of the lowest rates in the area for the last 11 years. The City bid the new contract in September and received 3 proposals. The lowest and best bid was determined to be Allied Waster Services dba, Dempsey at $13.39 per residence per month. While this is a 35% increase it is competitive with surrounding communities. In addition, yard waste is no longer collected separately at an additional cost.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

2007 was the eighth full year of the 24/48 hour fire staffing schedule with an additional full-time firefighter/paramedic using the receipts from the EMS billing program. A new vehicle was purchased to replace an old command vehicle.

Local outreach continued with the annual school programs and open house during Fire Prevention week; a strong commitment to regional cooperation in firefighting and EMS service with local mutual aid, the Fire/EMS Alliance, and of course Ohio Task Force 1.

2007 was the fifth full year of the EMS billing which generated over $123,000 for the year. The Department also operates cable channel 10 – Bellbrook TV which telecasts many hours of City and School programming. The also coordinate the Muscular Dystrophy charity activities and Project Christmas Smiles.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Police Department continued operations in a thorough and professional manner as calls for service continued to increase. The department continued local outreach through DARE, Safetyville, crime prevention, MADD, and domestic violence prevention. The Citizens Police Academy continues to be a very popular and useful program.

Bellbrook’s overall crime rate continues to be low due to neighborhood patrol, strict traffic enforcement, up to date technology including new crime information data sharing and experienced, well trained personnel. Bellbrook ranked in the top 100 for low crime cities in 2007 for cities of 5,000 population or more.

SERVICE AND UTILITY DEPARTMENT

The city continues to improve the water system and develop the water source. A great deal of progress was made toward adding two more wells to our well field. A new raw water line was completed from the new well field on Washington Mills to the Sackett-Wright well field. Plans were completed for the raw water line from the Sackett-Wright well field to the water plant. An easement will be developed to locate the new raw water line. Bidding and construction will begin in 2008. The grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission make the improvements possible with local matching funds.

A water main was replaced on Crest Drive that not only increased the size of the main but also looped the main. This will provide better flow and service to the neighborhood. The department dealt with several water main breaks during the winter months and continues to be proactive in servicing the system.

A significant street maintenance program costing over $150,000 was planned and developed by the department with some of the work bid out in conjunction with the County Engineer. The recently purchased crack sealing machine was used extensively to extend the life of the streets.

PLANNING & ZONING

Staff worked with developers and builders on the Vineyard and Highview Terrace subdivisions. The subdivisions will provide building sites for single family dwellings for many years to come. The department also dealt with several variance cases, stormwater regulations, and review final plat plans. They also wrote grant applications, were very busy doing property inspections, investigating stormwater complaints, and issuing zoning permits. Staff also compiles and mailed 3 editions of the Community Report.