MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) - Despite a hefty budget shortfall, Moraine city officials delivered some good news on Wednesday.
Mayor Robert Rosencrans said the budget shortfall was not as bad as they had thought. Income tax revenues were better than they had projected.
City officials said instead of being $4.5 million in the red, Moraine would be $2 million in the red. This meant, things were still tight, but it also meant many proposed cuts on the board could potentially be avoided.
"Things are working better than we had anticipated. I can't explain it, but we are happy," said Mayor Rosencrans.
City officials said, right now it wouldn't change much. The city would still remain open for business only four and a half days a week, there were no plans to re-open Splash Moraine yet, and the city had no plans to fill positions of police officers or firefighters who left or retired from the department.
The city also announced that residents may have to start paying for trash services. City council would have to vote on that first, though.
Despite the tight budget, city officials said the Fourth of July celebrations would go on.
"We'll give the residents something to cheer about on this Fourth of July, to celebrate the fact that Moraine is moving forward, " said Mayor Rosencrans.
The city had budgeted $34,000 for fireworks, with half the money coming from Waste Management Services, and the City of West Carrollton.
City council was expected to vote on approving the money for fireworks on Thursday night. If they got the green light, city officials said the festivities would take place at Wax Park, right by Splash Moraine. It featured carnival rides for children all day long, with music from the Menus.
The fireworks display would take place at 10 PM.