JACKSON CENTER — Jackson Center Council took a step closer to annexing 50 acres of land to the village.
Council held a special meeting on Monday, March 19, to consider authorizing an ordinance which would allow JC Village Administrator Bruce Metz to enter into an annexation agreement with the Jackson Township Trustees. The village had requested that Jackson Township allow approximately 50 acres be annexed to the village for future growth and development.
Jackson Center indicated it would submit to terms that would permit maintaining current real estate tax revenues for the township. The ordinance received unanimous approval from the JC Council with all voting in favor of the ordinance.
Jackson Township trustees have already approved the annexation proposal on their end, so as soon as the paperwork is signed by them and the village administrator it will be submitted to the Shelby County Commissioners for their approval as well.
“We are hoping to get all our ducks in a row as soon as possible” Metz said.
It was previously reported in the Sidney Daily News that the annexation was being carried out in order to facilitate the construction of a new manufacturing facility by Airstream Inc. and that the $1.3 million capital improvement fund was initiated to expedite that arrangement but Village Administrator Bruce Metz pointed out that at this time the village’s position on the annexation is to allow for future growth and development.
“Nothing is set in stone at this point,” Metz said. “There is a lot of information being circulated out there concerning several potential prospects for how the land will be used but we are not disclosing anything until such a time that considerations have been made, plans approved, and any and all related paperwork is signed on the dotted line; for now we are just calling it annexation for future growth and development.”
In other business Council approved a resolution authorizing the village administrator to advertise for bids for the Jerry Drive 69Kv. Electrical Substation Project. The village has contracted with GPD group for engineering services on the project and is currently ready to take bids.
“We have contacted Sidney Daily News and will be running ads requesting estimates from contractors to complete the job; after all estimates are considered and council approves who will do the work we’ll get this project underway” said Metz.
The construction is being carried out to replace aged equipment and improve the level of service the village can provide for its residents and local industry in the future.
