As bad as 2009 was, the Village of Bluffton's budget dodged the financial bullet in the year just past.

According to Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer, Bluffton's cash balances decreased by $295,008 in 2009. The streetscape program was completed at a cost of $230,244 and $600,000 of the town hall debt was retired. Those figures were revealed at the Jan. 11 council meeting - the first meeting of 2010.

"The general fund saw a cash increase, despite reduced income tax revenue," Kindle said. "The increase can largely be contributed to inheritance tax and EMS billing revenue, along with conservative spending."

In addition to the fiscal update, the changing of the guards took place on the third floor of the town hall. Dave Steiner was sworn in as a new council member in addition to returnees Mitch Kingsley, Dick McGarrity and Eric Fulcomer.

Steiner took the seat vacated by Bruce Marshall who did not seek reelection in 2009.

In procedure moves, council agreed to continue to meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 8 p.m. Eric Fulcomer was reelected as council president. Committee assignments will be released at the Jan. 25 meeting.

Jan. Basinger, EMS chief released the 2009 EMS monthly run report. The following are year-end figures:
327 medical runs
38 motor vehicle accidents
49 fires
38 transports
2 other
454 total runs in 2009

EMS location calls for 2009 follow:
375 in Bluffton
26 in Orange Township
5 in Orange Township at I-75
37 in Richland Township
5 other
454 total calls in 2009

EMS transportation destinations in 2009 follow:
205 Bluffton Hospital
45 Blanchard Valley Hospital
44 St. Rita's Medical Center
33 Lima Memorial Hospital
6 Lifeflight
11 Mennonite Memorial Home
1 Maplecrest
1 Richland Manor
6 Residences
352 total transports in 2009

Rick Skilliter, police chief, provided a breakdown of police calls handled in 2009. The greatest number includes:
25 assaults
61 criminal damage
22 unruly juvenile
68 animal complaints
48 breaking and entering
166 burglar alarms
74 traffic crash, non-injury
249 vehicle investigations
76 motorist assists
50 rescue assists
49 investigate pedestrians
95 thefts
117 civil
49 suspicious person
5 sex offense
21 forgery/bad checks
53 house checks
210 follow-up on complaintgs
29 telephone annoyances
188 Motorist assist/lockouts
345 mutual aid
243 traffic stop citations
669 traffic stop warnings
445 building checks
39 warrant service
4,190 total