Aside from what may be a record of nine passages on first reading - almost clearing the agenda - council moved towards improving one city department's technology.
Dave Tatman had partial success in getting a pair of ordinances passed to help the Engineering and Building department improve and update their technology. And it's desperately needed - it's around 10 to 15 years old, which is ancient for computers.
Tatman said the hike is 15 years past due, but the fees are still not as much as other cities, like Circleville. He said it's just enough to cover the cost of services.
The budgetary legislation passed, but the companion ordinance to actually raise the fees failed to get enough votes to allow it to be passed on first reading, because some council members were reluctant to increase fees on a first reading.
Chillicothe Council learned the price of being in the state's "fiscal caution" through the city's credit rating.
Auditor Luke Feeney explained what the slight investment downgrade means. He was notified Friday that the city was dropped only one notch out of 21, and is still a good investment.
He said that would cost the city just a little more to sell to investors, approximately 0.2%. But right now, it doesn't matter as much with record low rates - which he wants to take advantage of to refinance some city debt.
Auditor Feeney said reductions in several revenues also contributed to the lowered credit rating.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils
