Martins Ferry’s overall financial position improved to fiscal year 2020 from the previous year, during Mayor John Davies first year in office. Davies recently told residents gathered at a town hall meeting at the rec center that the city’s budget is “more stable than we’ve seen it in a long time.”
The city’s 2020 state audit stated as much. Located here, it shows that, in short, the city’s total net position increased $471,838 from 2019 to 2020, a 7-percent increase. Similar numbers will likely be shown when the 2021 audit is released later this year.
After all, the city is feeling the full effects of having East Ohio Regional Hospital back up and running, from income tax revenue collected, to utility purchases by the facility. That money also filters down to secondary income tax revenue as both employees and patients of the hospital spend their dollars inside city limits, patronizing restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses.
That’s money that could have gone elsewhere, had the hospital not reopened. It certainly makes a difference.
“We came in and the budget was tight and now, (auditor) Rita (Randall) and (Service Director) Andy (Sutak) work really well together and keep funding and moving forward,” Davies said. “All the departments are working well together, including the people, from supervisors down to the hourly employees. They are working hand and glove for this city.
“And the hospital has been a great thing, not only to us, but for the health case of the entire Ohio Valley.”
Recently it was announced that Senior Services of Belmont County was officially partnering with all three major medical players locally, and not just WVU Medicine. Now, EORH and also Trinity Medical will all reap the rewards of working with the county’s agency for the elderly.
That too, will provide a boost to the hospital in Ferry and, subsequently, the city’s coffers.
But it’s more than just the hospital providing said boost.
Finding the Money
Within the last 10-15 years, when local government funding received cuts and funding issues needed tackled, one of the first things bandied about yet—thankfully for the employees never acted upon—was potentially eliminating the dispatcher positions in the city building.
Unlike most municipalities in Belmont County, Martins Ferry dispatches its own Police, Fire, and EMS calls with employees inside the city building.
But that system and those workers cost money. Their status, in the past, was put in jeopardy, at least in theory. That’s not been an issue for quite some time.
“That’s never even been brought up,” Davies said. “Budget-wise, we’re pretty solid. But we’re always looking to increase our coffers.”
One is the former Rose Café location in town. Recently demolished, the city will be using the property for an impound lot.
Vehicles get towed and taken for an assortment of reasons. Davies figured there’s no reason the city couldn’t get in on that action and reap the benefits of vehicles in town, and potentially, from out of town.
In fact, it was actually Police Chief John McFarland that approached the mayor about the idea.
“Chief McFarland came up with the impound lot and we thought it was a great idea to keep generating more revenue,” Davies said. “Now when people get towed, they’ll get towed to our facility and it’ll generate revenue.”
Once open and running, Davies said the chief may talk to his counterparts in both Bridgeport and Yorkville about using Ferry’s impound lot moving forward.
“He’s going to run with that,” Davies said.
Another boost, however, fiscally small at the moment, is the city’s taking over the running of the recreation center.
The Park District, which will still run the city pool, used to run the rec center as well. The city, however, was charged with paying for the utilities as it owns the building. When the city opted to take over operational duties, it made it a point to increase offerings and, in turn, work to create a little revenue in addition to being able to pay for the utilities and the space, not at a loss.
The second batting cage has been installed and both are available to teams and individuals to rent by the hour. The weight room received the influx of equipment from the school district, coming from the weight room at the field house. There’s cardio equipment in a separate room and monthly memberships are available.
The racquetball court areas will soon be home to both wrestling mats and a golf simulator is in the works. The aim is to not only make the rec center a beacon of activity for residents of all ages, but a positive portion of the city’s ledger.
It’s little things like that, when coupled together with an overall town-wide mission to move the Purple City forward and further into the black, that seem to be working.
The administration and employees, along with non-profits and private businesses are all on board in helping revitalize the city.
The budget shows that much, and when the next audit is released, the numbers won’t lie.
