MIDDLEFIELD — Despite employment in the village being down slightly compared to last year at this time, the village’s finances are “still in very good standing.”

That was part of the finance report given by Middlefield Village Fiscal Officer Nick Giardina at last week’s council meeting. He said the village to date has collected $2,659,000 in income tax withholdings for 2023, which is on par with last year’s total of $2,748,000.

The year-to-date collection from the three main revenue sources (income tax, water and sewer) is up 1.45% from last year at this time.

“Expenses are up significantly with a lot of major projects going on in the village, so we’ve spent $1,383,000 more than a year ago this time, but we still look good for the year. Overall, our total bank accounts are $12,296,000,” Giardina said.

He credits the mayor, council and village employees for doing a good job of keeping expenses down.

He said the village has made $300,000 in interest on investments this year and he expects another $400,000 in interest to be added in the next 12 months. Giardina said the smart money management of village officials has translated into no increases being needed on residents’ water and sewer bills.

The East Geauga Fire District thanked voters in the village and township for passing a 4.7-mill fire and EMS replacement levy on Tuesday. The money will be used to increase the pay rate for part-time firefighters so they can be retained.

Leslie Gambosi-McCoy, the village’s economic development director, informed council that a storefront on Madison Road was decertified from the Wave 5 program because the owners did not complete their project or submit a new timeline. The funds were returned to the program for future use. Wave 5 of the State’s SiteOhio Program provides grants or low-interest loans for projects.

Mayor Ben Garlich asked if every home in the Woodsong Meadows development, which is being built and managed by Ryan Homes, had been sold. Zoning Director John Boksansky said eight of 20 occupancy permits have been issued so far.

Middlefield police Chief Joe Tucholski welcomed two new full-time police officers: Robert Hamilton and Christopher Plantz. Hamilton is originally from Ashtabula and after his service in the military, he lived in Florida. Plantz is originally from Mansfield.

Garlich also approved Marcia Bryson as cemetery sexton and economic development committee members Garlich, council members Scott Klein and Kaitlyn Arganti, Chris Michelakis, Dave Dietrich, Emily Martin and Kim Breyley.