Depending on who’s talking, Sunbury has either 4,591 or 4,389 residents.

The difference, at least for the village’s dealings with a countywide agency, means about $211.

A brief discussion on the matter unfolded at the Jan. 18 village council meeting when fiscal officer Kathy Belcher submitted an annual membership dues request from the Delaware County Regional Planning Commission.

In the payment request, the commission sought $4,775 in dues for 2012. It states the village’s population is estimated at 4,591.

A somewhat bemused Mayor Tommy Hatfield said, “Is there a reason why they are charging more than the official Census (results)? I’m just wondering how we are 200 higher.”

Township officials said the 2010 Census results list Sunbury’s population at 4,389.

Council members then voted to pay the $4,775 to the planning commission after village administrator Dave Martin told them he would find out the reason for the difference in population figures.

Council members also voted to approve annual payments totaling $41,685 for two other bills.

The village will pay $17,435 to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation for coverage of village employees and $24,250 to Principal Dental Benefits for dental coverage.

Council also scheduled a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the village hall.

Martin said after the meeting the special meeting will focus on village health care coverage.

Sunbury currently pays about $28,000 a month to Medical Mutual of Ohio to cover its 22 full-time employees, Martin said. That contract will expire on Feb. 1.

Council also:

ã Heard councilman Tom Zalewski say the BST&G Fire Department is getting a $650,000 federal grant to buy a new ladder truck.

Zalewski is Sunbury’s representative on the fire district board. The department serves several jurisdictions, including Sunbury.

ã Agreed to close the village street department’s parking lot for six to eight weeks while Delco Water Co. paints its water tower at Otis Street and Sedgwick Avenue, sometime between May 1 and Aug. 31.

Anchors to secure tarps used during the project will be placed in the lot.

Delco will pay expenses if any village property is damaged.