September 30, 2025 • 9 mins
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith joined the program to discuss tonight's vote by City Council to make themselves eligible for full-time city health care benefits. She also previews an event in Detroit she'll take part in later today.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. It is Lima's Morning News and we are underway.
Thanks too quick as a weak printing. And as we
always do at this time during the week, we check
in with the City of Lima, and today we welcome
in Mayor Sarita Smith.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The mayor, Good morning, good morning time.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Good to see you again, and we have an exciting
event you are going to be attending actually later today
we want to talk about and before we do that though,
coming up tonight, city Council is going to vote on
an ordinance to basically allow themselves to become members of
the City of Lima's employee healthcare benefits program. Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
That is correct.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Tonight the Human Resources Committee will meet to discuss this
proposed ordinance, which, as you stated, will essentially create a
new ongoing liability by granting this full time health insurance
benefit to council members. Position of the administration is that
(01:02):
you know, we are in unpredictable times, Todd the number
and our number one job is to protect our ability
to provide core services to residents. We are currently under
a hiring freeze and we're bracing for any state or
federal budget threats that could further hinder our ability to
provide services to residents at the level that they expect.
(01:26):
And so because of those reasons, we are in opposition
to this ordinance.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So I guess I would think it's a bad idea period.
I don't know if you would have a different tack
if you weren't feeling budget pressures.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
My my reason is grounded in the budget pressures, but
if you that is the number one reason.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But following that are a couple things.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
The second reason is because the way that the city
is insured, so we are self insured, which means that
our insurance costs are not just based on premiums.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
We pay actual claims.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
We are required to reserve funds to show that we
can cover those claims. And any single catastrophic incident could
put the city in a position that we don't want
to be in, particularly because we don't know what's going
to happen under the current federal government and or state government.
(02:39):
We've been, you know, in the news, we've been you know,
talking about the vulnerability of property tax. The city gets
one point three million dollars a year from property tax.
Home dollars are vulnerable. We get about a million dollars
from home dollars. We don't know the budget implications of
Medicaid impact, being that our larger employer are our hospitals,
(03:05):
and so we now it's not the time to expose
the city to an ongoing liability that we also don't
know the extent.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
And just to clarify, city council members are are they
technically considered part time employees of the city?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
They are?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Okay, they are and we and we do not offer
insurance benefits to any part time employees for the city,
whether you're talking about a true part time employee or seasonals,
and we bring in anywhere from thirty to forty five
seasonals every single year.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Seems to make sense. We'll see how that vote turns
out tonight. Meanwhile, later today, Mayor you will be in
Detroit and you will be taking part in something called
the Ford Pro Accelerate event, and that obviously evolves Ford
Motor Company. I guess to talk about this event and
what your role will be there and what's going to
(04:02):
be happening.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yes, so I am honored to represent Lima, Ohio at
this conference. I will be sitting on a panel with
leaders from Ford Pro Service, Titan, Sonoma Wine Growers, the
mayor of Haywood County, Tennessee, and Crane's communication, and we're
going to be talking about how we can work together
(04:23):
to propel productivity for small and mid sized businesses in
our community.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Clearly, with Ford hosting this and our connection with Ford
Motor Company, I'm sure was how you got in the
loop here. This is something that is going to hopefully
provide ideas for not only businesses but municipalities. Is that
the idea sort of a melding here.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, So it's really about how can we, particularly cities
like Wima, who are legacy manufacturing cities, adapt to a
digital economy. It's something that Ford has seen and had
to do so in its own business model. And so
for this conference, you know, Ford is you know, taking
some of their big ideas, thought processes outside of the
(05:12):
Ford family and bringing it to communities. And so we're
going to be particularly talking about how we can keep
our residents working in the essential economy, which we know
is about twelve trillion dollars of the gross domestic product,
representing ninety five million jobs and three million businesses. So
(05:34):
we're talking about construction, manufacturing, transportation, utility, ad first responders,
and you mentioned. I'm going to be on the panel
with wine growers and it's all about again, how can
you leverage technology to improve businesses provide better service. And
I will have the opportunity to talk about some of
the things that we've done, particularly in our building department
(05:57):
with remote inspections which saves contractors and property owners time
and money. Our smart gub portal which we now have
digital permits online permitting, real time tracking and secure payments.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Happy to talk about.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Next year, we will be introducing the use of AI
in our street paving maintenance schedule, where we'll be able
to use AI to scan every street grade those streets.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Prioritize the repair.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
And lastly, our connect line of app which we've had
in existence for the last five or so years, which
that's the app where residents can go take a picture
of a concern, upload it to our system. But the
really exciting thing about that app is that the complaints
are put into geospatial map and we can look to
(06:49):
be able to tell if you have a similar complaint
in an area and does that signal a larger issue
water main brake or things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
You know, that reminds me of a program that we
had talked about. I remember talking about it with Mayor
Berger and maybe it's advanced, maybe it hasn't. I remember
they were talking about some kind of traffic app that
would tell me when the train is on the tracks. Yes,
is that something? I think it already works for first
responders in LINEAP.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
It does, and that was the first phase where we
worked with old DOT and there were sensors put on
the tracks, and believe it or not, we're still working
with old to be able to bring that program real
time to just you know, average commuters, not just first responders.
(07:43):
And so, I mean it's interesting because when you first
think about technology, it's a stretch to say, Okay, well,
how are we using this in city government? But when
you take a step back, you see that technology is
everywhere and this compens One of the things that I'm
hoping to learn from this conference is how can we
(08:04):
tailor what we're doing internally as a business to provide
better services to help our small businesses in our area
be able to utilize some of these tools to provide
better services.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Yeah, I think it's been great some of the things
that have happened with the city and trying to get
on board with some modern technology and such and it
helps citizens and man, we get that thing in my
ways app and tell me when there's a train. Of course,
some of mi I can't do anything about anyway, tagging
around it anyhow, You can't.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Now what we need is an app to alert all
the idiots to get stuck in the overpass on Blue
LEAs Road. Then then we truly got artificial intelligence at
its highest level. So we'll work on that. Mayor enjoy
your trip to Detroit today. I understand you'll be at
the newly renovated Michigan Central Station, a historic building in Detroit. Right,
(08:56):
that's where you're going.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yes, that is where the conference is hosted, and it
is also the headquarters for Ford. And again you mentioned
before about you know, Ford was very intentional in reaching
out to those cities where they actually have a presence.
And so as I close, huge shout out to the
Ford Lima Engine Plant for all of the work that
(09:18):
you all do and continuing to fuel our essential economy
here in Lima.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I'm sure they'll feed you, but maybe go across the
street to slows and bring them some barbecue.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
I write that down, Okay, Mayor.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I appreciate you coming in.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Eight thirty twos is next.
Good morning. It is Lima's Morning News and we are underway.
Thanks too quick as a weak printing. And as we
always do at this time during the week, we check
in with the City of Lima, and today we welcome
in Mayor Sarita Smith.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The mayor, Good morning, good morning time.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Good to see you again, and we have an exciting
event you are going to be attending actually later today
we want to talk about and before we do that though,
coming up tonight, city Council is going to vote on
an ordinance to basically allow themselves to become members of
the City of Lima's employee healthcare benefits program. Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
That is correct.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Tonight the Human Resources Committee will meet to discuss this
proposed ordinance, which, as you stated, will essentially create a
new ongoing liability by granting this full time health insurance
benefit to council members. Position of the administration is that
(01:02):
you know, we are in unpredictable times, Todd the number
and our number one job is to protect our ability
to provide core services to residents. We are currently under
a hiring freeze and we're bracing for any state or
federal budget threats that could further hinder our ability to
provide services to residents at the level that they expect.
(01:26):
And so because of those reasons, we are in opposition
to this ordinance.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So I guess I would think it's a bad idea period.
I don't know if you would have a different tack
if you weren't feeling budget pressures.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
My my reason is grounded in the budget pressures, but
if you that is the number one reason.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But following that are a couple things.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
The second reason is because the way that the city
is insured, so we are self insured, which means that
our insurance costs are not just based on premiums.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
We pay actual claims.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
We are required to reserve funds to show that we
can cover those claims. And any single catastrophic incident could
put the city in a position that we don't want
to be in, particularly because we don't know what's going
to happen under the current federal government and or state government.
(02:39):
We've been, you know, in the news, we've been you know,
talking about the vulnerability of property tax. The city gets
one point three million dollars a year from property tax.
Home dollars are vulnerable. We get about a million dollars
from home dollars. We don't know the budget implications of
Medicaid impact, being that our larger employer are our hospitals,
(03:05):
and so we now it's not the time to expose
the city to an ongoing liability that we also don't
know the extent.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
And just to clarify, city council members are are they
technically considered part time employees of the city?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
They are?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Okay, they are and we and we do not offer
insurance benefits to any part time employees for the city,
whether you're talking about a true part time employee or seasonals,
and we bring in anywhere from thirty to forty five
seasonals every single year.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Seems to make sense. We'll see how that vote turns
out tonight. Meanwhile, later today, Mayor you will be in
Detroit and you will be taking part in something called
the Ford Pro Accelerate event, and that obviously evolves Ford
Motor Company. I guess to talk about this event and
what your role will be there and what's going to
(04:02):
be happening.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yes, so I am honored to represent Lima, Ohio at
this conference. I will be sitting on a panel with
leaders from Ford Pro Service, Titan, Sonoma Wine Growers, the
mayor of Haywood County, Tennessee, and Crane's communication, and we're
going to be talking about how we can work together
(04:23):
to propel productivity for small and mid sized businesses in
our community.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Clearly, with Ford hosting this and our connection with Ford
Motor Company, I'm sure was how you got in the
loop here. This is something that is going to hopefully
provide ideas for not only businesses but municipalities. Is that
the idea sort of a melding here.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, So it's really about how can we, particularly cities
like Wima, who are legacy manufacturing cities, adapt to a
digital economy. It's something that Ford has seen and had
to do so in its own business model. And so
for this conference, you know, Ford is you know, taking
some of their big ideas, thought processes outside of the
(05:12):
Ford family and bringing it to communities. And so we're
going to be particularly talking about how we can keep
our residents working in the essential economy, which we know
is about twelve trillion dollars of the gross domestic product,
representing ninety five million jobs and three million businesses. So
(05:34):
we're talking about construction, manufacturing, transportation, utility, ad first responders,
and you mentioned. I'm going to be on the panel
with wine growers and it's all about again, how can
you leverage technology to improve businesses provide better service. And
I will have the opportunity to talk about some of
the things that we've done, particularly in our building department
(05:57):
with remote inspections which saves contractors and property owners time
and money. Our smart gub portal which we now have
digital permits online permitting, real time tracking and secure payments.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Happy to talk about.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Next year, we will be introducing the use of AI
in our street paving maintenance schedule, where we'll be able
to use AI to scan every street grade those streets.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Prioritize the repair.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
And lastly, our connect line of app which we've had
in existence for the last five or so years, which
that's the app where residents can go take a picture
of a concern, upload it to our system. But the
really exciting thing about that app is that the complaints
are put into geospatial map and we can look to
(06:49):
be able to tell if you have a similar complaint
in an area and does that signal a larger issue
water main brake or things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
You know, that reminds me of a program that we
had talked about. I remember talking about it with Mayor
Berger and maybe it's advanced, maybe it hasn't. I remember
they were talking about some kind of traffic app that
would tell me when the train is on the tracks. Yes,
is that something? I think it already works for first
responders in LINEAP.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
It does, and that was the first phase where we
worked with old DOT and there were sensors put on
the tracks, and believe it or not, we're still working
with old to be able to bring that program real
time to just you know, average commuters, not just first responders.
(07:43):
And so, I mean it's interesting because when you first
think about technology, it's a stretch to say, Okay, well,
how are we using this in city government? But when
you take a step back, you see that technology is
everywhere and this compens One of the things that I'm
hoping to learn from this conference is how can we
(08:04):
tailor what we're doing internally as a business to provide
better services to help our small businesses in our area
be able to utilize some of these tools to provide
better services.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Yeah, I think it's been great some of the things
that have happened with the city and trying to get
on board with some modern technology and such and it
helps citizens and man, we get that thing in my
ways app and tell me when there's a train. Of course,
some of mi I can't do anything about anyway, tagging
around it anyhow, You can't.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Now what we need is an app to alert all
the idiots to get stuck in the overpass on Blue
LEAs Road. Then then we truly got artificial intelligence at
its highest level. So we'll work on that. Mayor enjoy
your trip to Detroit today. I understand you'll be at
the newly renovated Michigan Central Station, a historic building in Detroit. Right,
(08:56):
that's where you're going.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yes, that is where the conference is hosted, and it
is also the headquarters for Ford. And again you mentioned
before about you know, Ford was very intentional in reaching
out to those cities where they actually have a presence.
And so as I close, huge shout out to the
Ford Lima Engine Plant for all of the work that
(09:18):
you all do and continuing to fuel our essential economy
here in Lima.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I'm sure they'll feed you, but maybe go across the
street to slows and bring them some barbecue.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
I write that down, Okay, Mayor.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I appreciate you coming in.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Eight thirty twos is next.
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