By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MONROE - After voters swept all but one incumbent from office, a new mix of city council members has the task of cleaning up a financial mess.

Monroe's deficit could exceed $1 million next year as it digs out from budgetary problems blamed largely on two city officials who resigned under pressure. Three new council members take office Jan. 9 as Monroe faces the choice of raising taxes or delaying projects, such as street resurfacing and park development.

"We've trimmed virtually everything we can trim," said Jay Stewart, director of development and the acting finance director.Only Robert Youtsler won re-election in the six-way race for four council seats. Councilman Richard Kremer lost, as did Mayor Mike Morris who received the lowest number of votes, 805, or 11 percent. The new council will appoint a mayor in January.

The top vote-getter, Lora Stillman, has lived in Monroe only two years. The other new council members were John Birch and Bob Kelley.

Stillman was urged to run by her neighbors after the financial troubles came to light.

"It was a fresh perspective. Voters were looking for somebody new to come in," said Stillman. "And interestingly, people said to me some of the reasons they voted is because I'm a female. People seem to think that that makes a difference."

Voters approved a measure to repeal a council vote last December that reduced the tax credit for residents who work outside the city to 0.5 percent from 1.5 percent. And a proposed income tax hike, from 1 percent to 1.5 percent, failed.

City staffers weren't surprised, knowing that many residents remain upset about the financial debacle.

"The option will come up again at the next election, property tax or income tax. We'll just keep trying," Stewart said.

If voters don't approve a tax hike by next spring or fall, the city may have to postpone even more capital improvement projects and slash services, Stewart said.

A key project coming up is the widening of Ohio 63. Monroe will be expected to pay about $600,000 to $800,000 toward it. Without new revenue, Stewart said it isn't clear where Monroe would get the money.

Ron Tubbs, 54, a resident of this city of 7,300 for more than 25 years, has high hopes for its future.

"I think we've got the financial crisis part worked out," Tubbs said. "I think we'll get out of this in another year or so. We will be all right as long as the city officials keep an eye on each other. ... It seemed nobody was watching what the other person was doing."

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E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com