Ontario Mayor Larry Collins presented the State of the City report at the regular city council meeting Thursday night.

Mayor Collins said 2012 was a successful year in many respects. He said the success was due to the cooperation and dedication of employees, the Administration and City Council.

Collins said 2012 was also a good year financially for the city. The 2012 bugdet of $8,190,485 began with a balance of $9,494,653.50. Collins said there were receipts of $8,716,736.30, expenses of $7,671,653.34, encumbrances of $354,437.06 and a carryover of $690,646 with a beginning balance for 2013 of $10,185,299.

Collins said for a third year in a row the city was able to end the year with a balanced budget.

Collins said the challenge the city faces this year is the out dated infrastructure. He said the city has to address the Findings and Orders from the Ohio EPA to build a lift station and tank to contain overflows at the Rock Road Lift Station.

"It's very old and its never been totally replaced. We have to take care of that this year," Collins said.

Mayor Collins also recommended that a City Charter Commission be authorized by council, elected and formed to address the real needs and issues surrounding City Government.

"The City Charter Commission would give more control to council and the administration. Right now we have so many elected people in various positions and there is no oversite over the elected officials," Collins said.
 

"A charter has never been passed since its inception. We need a charter that works for the city and the residents," Collins said.

Collins also recommended that Veteran's Day be added as a holiday for the city employees.

Collins said another challenge for the city will be to keep pace with increased costs and still serve the citizens of Ontario.
 

In 2012, 20 new businesses opened in Ontario and 10 businesses closed.

Collins said Ontario has a bright future with the coming of new businesses that bring jobs.