JACKSON CENTER — It was a busy evening at the council chambers in Jackson Center on Monday, Aug. 20. Before the regularly scheduled meeting council members and others in attendance heard reports about a new apartment building and proposed zoning changes in the village in a special public hearing. Residents in attendance were encouraged to ask questions or share any concerns they had on the matter. After the hearing council addressed the following items on their agenda.
Council heard the second reading of a resolution proposing to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. The resolution is the annual legislation that must be certified to the Shelby County Auditor before the first day of October each year. The auditor provides an estimate for the amount approved by the budget commission. This year the report estimates the amount of $50,219 from inside the 10 mil levy limitation and $46,425 from outside the limitation for a total of $96,644. There have not been any changes made to the resolution since the last meeting held on Aug. 13.
Council heard the first reading of an ordinance proposing a change for the zoning of 2.95 acres located in the 600 block of College and Pike Streets from R-1 Single-Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential. Mayor Scott Klopfenstein noted the public hearing before the council meeting concerning the proposed changes went well and that this was the first reading of the ordinance that would permit the changes necessary to move forward with the construction of the new apartments by Todd Ratermann. He also noted anyone having questions or concerns should contact zoning officer Ed Maxwell before the next council meeting scheduled for Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
Council voted to omit the three reading rule and pass emergency authorizations concerning adjustments in the 2018 annual appropriation of public funds for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2018. This ordinance increases the total appropriations of all funds from $10,280,103.01 to $12,439,640.90. The increases were assigned to the following:
• Increasing the general fund by $6500 to allow for repairs that need to be made to the village police cruiser;
• An increase in the appropriations in the Note Retirement Fund of $25,813.62 to pay debt service on the backup electrical generator at the water treatment plant;
• The need to increase the Electrical Fund by $2,127,244.27 to provide appropriations for the construction of a new 69kV electrical substation on Jerry Drive. Council then passed a resolution creating an Enterprise Improvement fund that the village will receive the loan proceeds into to allow for the dispersion of funds to cover expenditures to the contractor as the invoices come in for the substation project. This fund will be active until the project is completed.
In other business Fiscal Officer Bev Wren informed the mayor and council the regional Income Tax Agency has mailed approximately 327 non-filer letters to taxpayers that have neglected to file a municipal income tax return for the village. Taxpayers who have received this notice can e-file returns @ www.ritaohio.com or they can mail or fax their returns/documents to the Regional Income Tax Agency at the address or fax number listed in the non-filing letter. “The Village of Jackson Center is a mandatory filing community, therefore, even if you did not receive income or receive retirement income only, you still need to file a return each tax year.” Wren said. Wren also stated that many times, taxpayers assume that their tax preparer filed their returns for them but in many cases they do not and leave it up to the tax-payer to do so. “Taxpayers should ask their tax preparer if they have file their local returns as well,” said Wren.
In the administrator’s report administrator Bruce Metz reported on the following projects or business conducted:
• Sidewalks are finished on West Hamer Street and curbs and paving will be completed soon.
• The pole barn on Jerry drive has been taken down to provide room for the construction of the new substation.
• Jim Knief repaired some low spots and reseeded grass at Tiger Trail Park.
• Met with Choice One Engineering of Sidney to see about getting grant money to make repairs and mechanical updates at the municipal pool.
• Met with Rising Sun Trucking regarding their utilities and the meeting went well.
• Worked with Zoning Officer Ed Maxwell on an easement issue near Airstream Inc.
There were no new departmental reports but council did respond to questions from a resident about the issue of an excessive number of cars parked around a house on South Main Street. Klopfenstein noted they were aware of the situation and council reported there are currently six open cases around town that are being addressed.’
“I must note that that fifteen other offenses have already been brought into compliance with cooperation from the home owners, and we appreciate everyone who helps to keep things looking nice around town; it is a benefit to everyone who lives here, thank you,” Klopfenstein said.
Before going into an executive session for the purpose of discussing the purchase or sale of real estate Klopfenstein announced the village had received an award plaque from the Ohio EPA for the village’s compliance in developing a Drinking Water Source Protection Plan.
“This is something we have been working on for ten years and we want to recognize Braden Lotz our water Superintendent and plant operator Drew Sosby for a job well done, we appreciate all the hard work you contributed to help us receive this special recognition.” Klopfenstein said.
