JACKSON CENTER — Nathan Davis, associate water asset manager with the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) of Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, attended the Monday, March 27, Jackson Center Village Council meeting to discuss the village’s rate analysis test results.

The test is conducted every five years, with Jackson Center’s last one being held in 2018. Davis has worked with RCAP for 13 years, and he performed the village’s last test. He proposed the village lower the minimum total usage from 5,000 to 2,000 gallons a month. But, due to high inflation, this will raise the cost for the average customer (someone who uses 3,250 gallons) to $49.90 for water a month and $60.20 for sewage. This will increase the yearly water bill by $110. Those who use less than 3,250 gallons will benefit from this overall.

Currently, these people are being overcharged as they are paying the rate for 5,000 gallons regardless if they use that much or not. So, the change will in fact lower their bill.

“You are not paying for the water, but for the pumping, treating and sending it to your house,” sai Davis.

Village Administrator Bruce Metz will begin drafting an ordinance to present to council at the next meeting for the three reading rule. The entire process will be completed by June 1 after which residents will see a change in their bills. Mayor Scott Klopfenstein said that sometime in April or May they will hold a town meeting to discuss this issue further and in more detail.

While discussing the water bill, Metz said he began the grant process of building a new water treatment plant he expects to be ready by 2025. Construction bids will begin in November of this year for those interested. Some ideas for the new plant include water softening, an air scrubbing system for the tower, and an automated backwash. He wants to get away from as many chemical feeds as possible.

David Schwartz is appointed as the new assistant fire chief for the village of Jackson Center. He became a firefighter in 2017 and has shown great dedication and professionalism. He was voted in by a two-third majority. The first vote, which was a mail-in election, ended in a tie. Which meant the 12-person firefighter board met in person to vote.

An ordinance to discuss how the community pool employees will be getting paid this year was discussed. In January, the state minimum wage was increased to $10.10 an hour. This will affect how the pool employees will be getting paid this summer. The Financial Committee Meeting decided a new rate during a meeting held on March 1. The pool director will be making $18.55 an hour, the assistant director $15.80 an hour, lifeguards $13.70, and the slide attendant $11.20. Positions are still available if interested in applying.

A resolution to discuss the progress of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup truck. The truck is completed, but is currently in Canada. It is undetermined when the village will get it. This will be used by the Electric Department. The bed length will stay the same as they do not have a need for a utility back. The truck was purchased from Evans Chevrolet in Wapakoneta for $55,245, which is less than they originally expected due to the bed staying the same.

The Housing Council agree to let all the commercial properties currently active in the village to continue, except for Lippert Components. Lippert has decided that after their fire they will not continue doing business in Jackson Center, but will be staying in Sidney. They are unsure of what to do with the building. They have begun looking at the possibility of selling it, but nothing has been decided.

The Shelby County Auditor questioned the CRA for the College Street Apartments. The agreement calls for the 14-year abatement period to start this year despite the project being incomplete. This will only affect the builder, and not the residents. The Employment Development Department (EDD) is recommending the village investigate extending the residential abatement to 8 years to match the best in the area. Houses usually go up after an abatement period, encouraging more development and increase the long range tax evaluation.