Since 1973, the State of Ohio has shared tax revenue with local governments. The method for distributing that money has been adjusted over the years, but hasn’t been updated since they began using the alternative method in 1998.
At Monday night’s meeting, the West Liberty Village Council asked Logan County Auditor Jack Reser to present the current distribution method. According to Reser, a majority of the townships and villages must agree to any changes in the distribution method, which would be 15 of the county’s 29 municipalities and townships.
The main source of contention comes from the Belle Center mayor’s office. While that town has a larger residency than smaller towns like Rushsylvania and West Mansfield, it receives close to a tenth of the funds. The new population-based formula would be an equal-share-per-capita-based distribution method.
“What happens if we change the formula?” Reser asked. “The budget commission will base it on the will of a majority of the townships and villages. The formula isn’t written in stone; it can be changed at any time by a majority of townships and villages.”
West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey’s response focused on the lost revenue to the village.
If based on population, their funding would drop about $5,000.
“We need a resolution submitted for review,” she said. “If not, we’ll be stuck in the same position we’re in now.”
Reser also spoke briefly on the white-hot housing market. In a community that usually has around 500 homes for sale, that number is closer to 70 at the moment.
“We’re going to see values go up resulting in changes in taxes,” he said. “This will be a difficult process.”
In other action Monday night:
• Lions Club Second Vice President Jake Vitt addressed the council regarding funding to clean the Lions Park restrooms. The village approved a total of $3,500 toward this with the understanding the Club would cover any money needed over that amount.
• Vitt also announced the Lions Club would be sponsoring its first Easter egg hunt on April 10.
• Council members authorized $6,000 toward repairing the village trash truck and another $6,000 toward finishing the fog seal on Pickrelltown Road.
• The 3 percent water rate increase, appropriations and police salaries ordinances were all passed on their final reading. Regarding the latter, the police department plans to begin the application to fill vacant positions immediately.
• Council members passed the first readings on ordinances related to vacant building and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA is similar to those in Lakeview and Bellefontaine, other than years and dollar amount.
• The council agreed to replace 33 faded and noncompliant stop signs as well as the lightbulbs on 16 snowflake decorations, each with 36 bulbs.
• Residents planning to update their homes this summer are encouraged to take before and after photos. Nominations for the residential beautification awards will start Aug. 1.
• Splash pad T-shirts with the saying “I had a splashing good time in West Liberty” will soon be for sale. Proceeds will go toward improvements to the park.
• The council nominated three businesses for Business of the Month: Ohio Caverns, Elle A. Design and Wilcoxon Homes.
• Like most things, the cost of fireworks has gone up. According to the chief of police, the village will either have a smaller fireworks show this Labor Day or will have to spend more money.
• The new Good Neighbor Guide will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon April 2, weather permitting.
• Council members also approved the addition of a three-car parking lot and sidewalk at Veteran’s Park. They accepted Shane Long’s bid of $7,200 to $7,860 for both.
• This year’s West Liberty Fire Sales on Saturday, May 21, will include a pancake breakfast at the firehouse and photos on the firetruck. Maps with locations of food trucks and porta-johns will be available. The annual yard sale day commemorates a fire that took place on May 13, 1880, which destroyed 31 businesses and eight homes, but, fortunately, no lives were lost.
The West Liberty Village Council’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, March 28.