Measure not intended to supersede existing state of Ohio mandates
Members of the Bellefontaine City Council have joined the chorus of elected officials across the state calling for the swift and immediate reopening of all businesses across Ohio.
Council passed a resolution Tuesday in a regular meeting declaring all city businesses essential and expressing support for the immediate opening of all businesses, “subject to the approval of the Logan County Health District.”
The resolution further calls for Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine and director of health Dr. Amy Acton to delegate, “the authority to local health departments to review and make recommendations on businesses’ reopening plans, to review such plans for adherence to the CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19, and to allow those complying businesses to reopen upon each local health department’s approval.”
City officials have said the resolution in no way supersedes existing mandates put in place by the state of Ohio, but is intended as an added voice in the growing number of similar resolutions and declarations already passed by the Logan County Commissioners, and in counties and municipalities across the state.
While, “the members of the Bellefontaine City Council are grateful for the initial swift measures taken by Gov. DeWine and Dr. Acton to prevent the projected rampant spread of COVID-19,” ongoing directives from the governor’s office amount to a, “one-size-fits-all approach for the entire state from Gov. DeWine and Dr. Acton is no longer reasonable,” city officials agree.
Council’s resolution notes the local economic impact, stating that, “the ripple effects of business closures and resultant economic decline are simply no longer sustainable.”
Logan County Commissioners are reporting drastic reductions in sales tax revenues, and have already laid off personnel as part of their round of budget cuts.
Bellefontaine projects declining revenue in excess of $1 million over the next 12 months — projections that have resulted in a freeze of all capital expenditures.
Persistent business closures would force the city to begin making decisions as to which services can continue, and those that would have to be cut.
“Additional effects of revenue decline are expected to be seen into 2023, due to business losses that can be carried forward,” the resolution points out.
Gov. DeWine has said repeatedly that currently scheduled openings of businesses means that better than 90 percent of the economy is scheduled to reopen.
Still, that’s little consolation for gyms and fitness studios, movie theaters and other recreational facilities, which still have not received any guidance as to when they will be permitted to resume services.
Council members and city administrators agree that gyms and exercise facilities should be treated the same as massage centers, spas and tattoo parlors,which reveived word Tuesday that they will be permitted to reopen effective on Friday.