Money — where it’s coming from and where it’s going as well as having a clearer understanding of the budget — was a main topic of conversation at Monday night’s West Liberty Village Council meeting. And they started by considering a plan that would motivate substantial remodels across the town while also drawing new businesses to the area.
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President Ben Vollrath encouraged the council to consider taking steps to make West Liberty a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA). CRAs refer to tax incentives for landowners who invest in significant property improvements.
“It’s tailored to what the village wants and needs,” Vollrath said. “We want to make sure there’s a good balance between incentivizing development in West Liberty while also ensuring our community and schools don’t necessarily forego possible tax revenue.”
According to Vollrath, the CRA is a tool to help increase the property values of existing buildings/homes or land (to encourage new construction). This increased property tax value is then partially foregone for a period of time to encourage the development.
“It should be a win-win,” Mayor Jill McKelvey said. “Kudos to all of us working on something that will make a difference.”
The need for that difference became even clearer later in the meeting during a discussion of buying a new firetruck, which would cost over $600,000. Council member Jeanette Zerkle emphasized the importance of starting to set money aside sooner rather than later. And that led to other areas where they needed a better understanding of the village’s finances.
“We need to know where the money is,” Zerkle said. “I don’t know. Do you?”
Over the course of the evening, several financial concerns were presented, from having to spend $11,000 on trash bags to the nearly $500,000 police department budget.
McKelvey concluded a conversation with the police chief regarding that budget was in order. With all these expenses, she worried about having enough funds to run the village.
Besides discerning what areas need to be reined in, they want to find ways to bring more money to the community, like pursuing the CRA tax incentive.
“There are a lot of reasons to grow,” McKelvey said, “and fear is what’s motivating me right now.”
Other action at Monday’s meeting:
- West Liberty Fire Department Chief Darin Leach asked for approval of a new firefighter, who, though unable to begin working at this time, has the experience to not need training. He also requested they approve the decommissioning of a 1990 grassfire truck and, if the contract allows, sell it to an interested buyer. The council agreed to both requests.
- The council passed ordinance 2022-11—to give Cemetery Sexton Liesl Cornelius a 6 percent raise, and ordinance 2022-12—to amend ARP funds to include an additional $376 the village received from the state.
- Two resolutions also passed—2022 R6, which put the ARP standard allowance in the general fund, and 2022 R7, which set up a separate account for One Ohio Opioid funds. The latter, a direct payment of $7,026, must be used for education and prevention. They could get that in one lump sum or divvied out over time, up to 18 years, which would certainly impact how it can be used.
- A NatureWorks (ODNR) grant to replace the 1970s restroom at Lions Park should be finalized and submitted this week.
- The lion to be placed in Lion Park is large enough to fit on a 15 x 15 mat, and children will be allowed to climb on it. Griffith joked, “We should add a slot to put pennies in and make it a giant piggy bank.”
- Nominees for June Business of the Month are: Thoman’s IGA, Hillside Greenhouse and Kroger Northern Floral Center.
- Griffith expressed her disappointment in not being awarded a grant for the West Columbus Street Bridge project. The grant organization had received 45 applications, so it was hotly contested, and West Liberty was invited to apply again in October. However, Jeremy LeVan has offered to look into the cost of putting in a pedestrian vs. a vehicle bridge. “There are other avenues we can try, so it’s not a done deal,” Griffith said. “The calendar is doing well, and we have other things up our sleeves to raise money and awareness.”
- According to Chris Moell, solicitor, the temporary easement issue has finally been resolved. The documents have been signed and sent to Cincinnati for the next step.
- Moell also responded to the council’s question regarding revising their ordinance in response to the new state fireworks law. “You could,” Moell said. “It’s a council decision. But don’t ask me because the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.”
House bill 172, which goes into effect on July 1, allows adults to use consumer grade fireworks on private property on certain holidays throughout the year.
- The parks committee plans to meet with Logan County Auditor Jack Reser regarding a tax levy of $35 per $100,000 in the value of a home.
The annual West Liberty Fire Sales will kick off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, with a pancake breakfast at the firehouse. Sales go from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, May 23, in council chambers at the town hall.