The League of Women Voters of the Tiffin Area believes that the City of Tiffin should provide services, which will ensure the safety, health and welfare of its citizens. In order to carry out these responsibilities, the League supports:

• Provision of a broad scope of services
• Evaluation of services on an essential/non-essential basis
• Ranking of services on the basis of their priorities

1.  Provision of Services

    In order to meet the present and future needs of the citizens of Tiffin, the League   believes that the following services should be provided by the city:
 

2.  Essential vs. Non-Essential Services

    The League believes that choices should be made about services on an essential vs. non-essential basis. To support this premise, we believe the following services are essential:
 

   The League believes that the following services are non-essential:

       Bulk Pickup          Leaf Pickup         Tree Services on Public Property

3. Ranking of Services

  Believing that decision must be made based upon priorities; the League supports the subsequent ranking of city services:

4. Level of Service

  The League supports maintaining the following essential services at the 1999 level:

The League supports expanding the following essential services beyond the 1999 level:

5. Funding of Services

  The League recognizes that the City of Tiffin in 1999 is in a healthy financial   situation. It supports funding of services from the present variety of sources.

  It also supports that surplus revenue should be divided between capital projects and  operating expenses.

Background of Position:

A two-year study was adopted in May 1978, as a recommended local program item, to evaluate the delivery of city services and facilities in Tiffin. The scope of the study was to include a survey of existing city services, facilities, administration and policy development, financing of services, services policies beyond the corporation limits, and essential vs.. non-essential services. The study evolved from the city finance study; it become difficult to take action until a study was made of the use of local tax dollars.

An introductory general meeting on City Services was held in September 1978 and tours of city facilities were made the following month. The study was continued in
1979 and combined with the city financing portfolio. Informational units were held in April 1980 and a community survey was conducted in March 1981. Consensus was taken in April 1981. In September 1981 the League made a statement to City Council supporting an increase in ambulance service fees to fund the service. City Council continued to be monitored, especially in its discussion and decision re: the funding of city services.

In March 1982 a general meeting was held in order to clarify member opinion concerning parks and recreation services. Consensus was reached and the parks and recreation statement was added to the City Services position. In December 1982 a statement was made to City Council regarding the proposed General Fund budget for 1983, stating that high priority services should be maintained at present levels, even if this would require an increase in the city income tax. During 1983 the position was retained without action. In 1984 the position was updated in the areas of essential vs. non-essential services, ranking of priority, funding sources, and maintenance level of services.

Action was taken in preparation for the November 1984 elections to support a ballot issue to raise the income tax one-half percent, an issue consistent with the position. Action consisted of conducting an opinion poll of 200 voters by mail, creating and showing on cable TV a videotape of city services, distributing to members a brochure printed by the Committee for Issue I, and writing letters to the editor in support of the issue. The issue ultimately was defeated at the polls. In 1987 the position was amended by deleting from #5, Funding of Services, the phrase "use of revenue sharing funds for street maintenance," since revenue sharing funds were no longer a resource.

In the fall of 1987 the board considered action in response to a reduction in the police and fire forces. Our position statement, supporting "maintaining essential services at their present level", was deemed too vague to oppose the proposed cuts in services.

In April 1989 two meetings were held to update the position. Changes were made in the position to specify levels of services in the police and fire departments.

A public meeting was held in April 1990, featuring a panel of city leaders discussing a proposed income tax renewal (it passed).

In 1995 the City Engineer, Curtis Eagle proposed a housing maintenance code to deal with properties around the city that were not being properly maintained. This code was detailed and covered both indoor and outside issues. League supported the code, but it was very controversial with the community.

In 1996 the city proposed contracting with the Health Department to handle housing maintenance issues through their regulations. League supported this proposal since passage of a full maintenance code seemed unlikely. Council passed the proposal and it was implemented in the spring of 1996.

At the League's Annual meeting in May 1998 it was voted that this position would be reconsidered and the recommendation was made for fUrther study. A committee was formed and two meetings were held during the year to update members to the status of city services and finances. Consensus was held. The Board approved revision of the original position in April 1999.

The League held a general meeting in November 2001 on Recycling. A panel of experts presented the pros and cons in adopting a citywide program.

2003 - 2004 Goal: Retain the position. Monitor City Council actions. Watch the spending, as the funding may be especially "precarious" this year.