Councilwoman Janet Richardson, right, proposes raising wages for 20 employees. The wage increase for all 20 employees would cost the village $57,527.60 each year. Councilmen Mike Doyle, left, and Jerry Olack listen.

BELLAIRE — Bellaire Village Council voted to give several village employees pay raises Thursday.

Councilwoman Janet Richardson proposed raising wages for 20 employees. She said the wage increase would cost the village $57,527.60 each year.

Marla Krupnik, fiscal officer, said the amount of each employee’s pay hike depends on their expertise and role. She said the raises would go into effect on April 7 when the next pay period begins.

Council debated on whether to approve the higher wages.

“I don’t have a problem giving people raises, but I’m worried about village finances,” Councilman Jerry Olack said.

Krupnik agreed with Olack’s concerns.

“We have the money now, but we don’t know what’s down the road,” she said.

Krupnik said she is worried that a major expense could pop up, and that the village might not have the money to pay it if wages were increased.

Councilman Bill Schmitt advocated for the wage increases, saying that the employees are the “life blood of the village” and are “very valuable.”

Olack agreed.

“We’ll just have to watch our spending,” he said.

Richardson, who is a member of the finance committee, said she made sure that the village had enough money in the budget this year to make the changes. She said the village has had trouble hiring new employees and retaining them due to low wages. She hopes that the wage increases will help with staffing issues.

All members of council voted in favor of providing the raises except for Councilman Mike Doyle, who abstained from voting.

In other news, village officials also further discussed having EMS services within the village.

Councilman Robert “Bubba” Kapral said the safety committee had a meeting last week to discuss the issue but did not arrive at a resolution.

Neffs Fire Department currently provides EMS services to Bellaire.

Schmitt said it was his suggestion to have EMS services in the village with the main goal of reducing response times. He said after the committee meeting, he saw several issues with the idea and did not want to lose Neffs’ services.

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Richardson said.

She added that EMS services located in the village could be more expensive for residents.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Dugmore said she wanted to specify that an EMS service is a for-profit business. She said an EMS service provider could “set up shop” in Bellaire with or without council’s permission.

“Anybody’s welcome to set up shop here. We always welcome new businesses,” she said.

Dugmore also said that when residents call 911, they can request a specific ambulance service. She said that even if services came to Bellaire, residents could still choose to use Neffs’ services.

“They don’t have to rely on the village,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, the village had LaRoche Tree Service cut down several trees in Union Park this week. The village was awarded $13,490 through an Ohio Department of Transportation program in December to remove dead and diseased trees from the park. According to ODNR’s website, removing the trees will make the park safer for visitors and will create more space for recreational activities.

Dugmore said the village has been working to get the trees removed for about three years. She said Olack spearheaded the project.

“We’re taking out all of the perimeter trees because they are either in such bad shape that they’re dangerous or actually dead,” Dugmore previously said.

Olack said he is unsure if all of the trees that were supposed to be cut down have been cut. He said he would check to see if any more trees need to be removed.

Dugmore said the trees eventually will be replaced. She said she would like only native trees to be used, as opposed to plants that are considered invasive.

She said she found resources from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that list trees and plants that are native to the area.

Olack said the village plans to do some water and electrical work at the park as well as repair the sidewalks before planting new trees.

“It’s not a quick project,” Dugmore said.

Police Chief J.J. Watson told council he has been compiling documentation of village-owned properties including tax information and parcel numbers.

He said he is also working to get one village-owned residence demolished. Watson said the house is located at 314 Spring St. and will cost $17,000 to tear down. Watson said the house will be torn down once the weather permits.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 21 in council chambers.