Sgt. Ralph Underwood Is New Police Administrator

At Tuesday's (January 19) New Carlisle City Council meeting, Lt. Don Lucas announced that there had been some realignment within the Clark County Sheriff's Office and that, as a result of that realighment, Sgt. Ralph Underwood is the City's new Police Administrator.

 

Underwood is not a newcomer to the area.  He has worked several Heritage of Flight festivals and started the Neighborhood Crime Watch in the city. 

"We know there are frustrations," said Underwood.  "Now there are two of us to work things out in order to benefit the community.  We're going to do the best job possible."

Lucas, a New Carlisle resident, will remain active in New Carlisle police activities.

City Finance Director Richard Sexton reported that the City's revenues for 2009 were slightly over $6 million, or 95% of anticipated revenues.  Expenditures were about $5.75 million or about 89% of anticipated expenditures.  At council's request, he reported that the pool earned a profit of about $750 in 2009.  He stressed that this figure does not take into account around $32,000 in expenses in preparing the pool for use.  The expenses would have been much higher had it not been for the numerous man hours donated by Bobo Construction and Hensley Excavating.

City Public Works Director Howard Kitko reported that the city has used about 100 tons of salt so far this winter.  He added that another 100 tons has been delivered and another 200 tons is available if needed.  The price has dropped to about $70 per ton.

Council passed a resolution adopting the Rules of Council and passed an ordinance hiring Tim Howard as the City's first full-time Planning Director in nearly five years.  Howard was formerly the Village Administrator for Enon.

Resident K.D. Snyder questioned Council on the wisdom of hiring a Planning director.  "The question I have to ask is, 'Where's the money coming from?'" asked Snyder.  "As the economy gets worse, where are we going to get the money to hire these people?"  Interim City Manager Kim Jones stated that the difference between her salary and former City Manager Bob Bender's salary plus the savings from not filling her former position freed up more than enough money to cover Howard's salary.

The next City Council meeting will be held at Smith Park Shelter House on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 6:30 PM, immediately followed by the annual Town Hall meeting.  All city residents are invited to attend.  You can hear audio recordings of City Council meetings at audio.newcarlisleohio.net