LORAIN — City Council sent legislation to borrow $2.5 million from the Utilities Department to cover payroll and deductibles to committee Monday night for further discussion.

“I haven’t gotten the cash flow statements from (Utilities Director) Corey Timko yet to see if they even have the money,” said Finance Committee Chairman Mitch Fallis, D-at large.

The legislation is actually two ordinances, one advancing $1 million and the other advancing another $1.5 million.

Auditor Ron Mantini previously told Council the city may not have the cash flow to cover payroll through the end of the year.

The need to cover an extra pay period this year is further complicating the city’s financial woes as the year draws to a close.

The Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 23 with a special call Council meeting following.

In other business, Council approved a three-year contract with the Police Department’s 17 dispatchers.

“They got a zero raise in 2008, a $500 cash bonus that does not roll into their base pay and a 2 percent raise for 2010,” Safety Director Phil Dore said, adding the city views the contract as a good deal.

“The comparables for our dispatchers were so low, it would have gone to binding arbitration, which would have been worse for us,” he said.

Dispatchers at other departments in the county are paid higher wages than Lorain’s, according to Dore.

Council also unanimously approved legislation to give Metro Parks a two-mile easement for the continuing expansion of a 37-mile walking/biking trail from Lorain to Kipton.

The easement covers the portion of the trail from 21st Street by Denny’s restaurant through the woods along the Black River and ending at state Route 611.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

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