Despite a myriad of health and economic challenges posed last year by the coronavirus pandemic, the state of Bellefontaine remains strong, carrying forward momentum into 2021 and beyond, Bellefontaine City Council members were told Tuesday in a regular meeting.
Even with the economic emergency, city administration avoided any reduction in staff, Mayor Ben Stahler said during his annual state of the city address.
Hiring freezes, a stop on all capital expenditures and the help of federal COVID-19 relief funding combined to make up for what ultimately was about a 10 percent reduction in tax revenues, the mayor related.
About $1.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief dollars were allocated to Bellefontaine, and prudent distribution of those dollars positioned the city in such a way that it was able to overcome last year’s budget deficits as well as prosper and grow this year.
“(Federal COVID-19 relief) helped us to buy necessary supplies and equipment. It also offered an offset of expenses for our public safety forces,” the mayor told council.
Approximately $250,000 of the city’s relief funding from the federal government was split among Bellefontaine City Schools; Logan County Chamber of Commerce; and Logan County United Way. BCS was allocated $50,000, and the chamber and United Way was distributed $100,000 each.
Combined with federal relief funds, revenues for the city of Bellefontaine totaled $9.5 million last year, and expenses came in it at about $9.06 million.
City administration and the local chamber of commerce continue to work closely to provide opportunities to enhance local economic activity. COVID-19 relief dollars donated to the chamber were distributed to local businesses to help maintain operations during the economic emergency.
Those grant funds were part of over $1.2 million in grants provided to local businesses by the chamber during the state of emergency.
Similarly, city governemtn has also donated towards another forthcoming chamber initiative — a web site dedicated to connect local businesses and job seekers within the immediate vicinity.
The chamber of commerce is actively working towards rolling out www.mylocalcareer.com, which is being described as a resource for area business owners to connect with prospective employers.
Workforce development is among the strategic priorities being outlined by the chamber for this year. Another is housing, and the mayor reported to council Tuesday that 19 new home permits were issued in 2020. Of those, seven were new homes with an average reported sale price of $365,000. Additionally, 31 new building lots were created during the course of last year.
Overall, Stahler was optimistic about the current condition of the city, and the capacity for growth this year.
“While offering its own set of challenges, 2021 brings with it a chance for a fresh start and new opportunities,” the mayor said. “Even as the pandemic continues, we remain committed to offer high-quality services to our community.
“As Mayor, I believe we are positioned to have another good year.”