Mantua council reviews departmental budgets as police and court options loom

Mantua officials used the May 27 special meeting to continue budget work aimed at eliminating a reported $113,001.42 shortfall before the July 1 adoption deadline.

Council members and department leads described specific budget lines and possible adjustments. Staff recommended modest increases to residential waste fees ($2/month for basic service; $1/month for recycling) and said the town negotiated a three‑year contract extension with EconoWaste that holds fees steady in the first year and raises them 5% in the following two years. Cemetery staff are seeking a $4,500 local match to pursue a $13,000 grant to digitize burial and plot records.

Water department staff reported a drop in projected revenue and flagged several maintenance items: an $18,000 cost to clean north and south water tanks, higher contract services for water breaks and a decrease in overall water revenue in the FY27 projection. Staff signaled a possible rate adjustment proposal to the council within weeks, suggesting changes to excessive‑use charges rather than base rates.

Human resources proposals included moving select hourly employees to salaried positions (a proposed 12% increase for an identified finance manager) and a 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees. The mayor also reported an additional recurring rental cost (about $1,000/month) for temporary public works and police storage pending a new buildout; staff said that figure has been added to the general fund forecast.

Council members were asked to prioritize cuts and identify where expenses could be reduced to achieve a balanced budget; no specific cuts were finalized at the meeting. The council expects revised budget numbers and additional detail on water rates and police/court contracting costs in follow‑up meetings before the July 1 deadline.