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WL-S board discusses possible building levy |
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Written by Casey S. Elliott
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Thursday, 14 March 2013 14:19 |
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WEST LIBERTY – West Liberty-Salem Local Schools’ board members are debating the price tag and scope of a potential August building improvement levy. Some board members suggest splitting the levy into two projects, while others predict voters would be unwilling to support more than one building project. School administrators say the levy is needed to fix immediate structural issues, such as failing roofs, leaky windows and aging electrical equipment and water lines. Voters failed a 7.5-mill, 27-year improvement levy and a 0.5-mill levy in November 2012, estimated to generate $14.5 million. The levy would have allowed the district to fix up and add to its buildings through a $37.5 million Ohio School Facilities Commission, now the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, project. Approximately $32 million of the cost — 71 percent — would have been funded by the state. About $5 million of the proposed work deals with Locally Funded Initiatives (LFIs), items the state would not fund, such as an auxiliary gymnasium and cafeteria expansion. Board members discussed its building levy options at a meeting on March 5. At issue was the scope of the building project. Should the school board ask voters for the minimum needed to fix the most necessary repairs or should it also seek funding for items such as a new access drive and expanded classroom space. The board must decide by early April whether it will seek the levy, likely requiring them to pay for a special election in August. |
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West Liberty-Salem BOE looking into water tank replacement |
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Written by Casey S. Elliott
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Thursday, 14 March 2013 14:18 |
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WEST LIBERTY – Deteriorating water tanks and pumps at West Liberty-Salem Local Schools may force the school board to replace the equipment sooner than expected. The 25-year-old equipment might have been replaced as part of a building levy project, but the rate of decay may force the board to approve replacement of equipment this year. The district would foot the total cost of the replacement. The water tank is “rusting from the inside out,” Superintendent Kraig Hissong told the board during its March 5 meeting. The school board is debating whether to seek a levy to replace aging infrastructure, expand classroom space and reroute access to the school facilities. Voters chose not to approve a 7.5-mill, 27-year improvement levy and a 0.5-mill levy in November 2012, estimated to generate $14.5 million. The levy would have paid for the district’s share of a $37.5 million Ohio Facilities Construction Commission project, of which $32 million, 71 percent, would have been paid by the state. If the board chooses to seek the levy again, it must do so through a special election in August or risk losing the guaranteed 71 percent of state funding. Administrators say they could continue to seek a levy from voters, but expect the state’s funding share would decrease in future years. Hissong said leaks in the water tank have been patched, but he fears the tank soon will be beyond repair. The water pumps are running constantly because another piece of equipment failed and has not been replaced. The pumps are needed to maintain water pressure for the building. He said if the tank and pumps are not replaced and a leak develops that cannot be patched, it could force the school to close until the equipment is replaced. Hissong said engineers estimate a replacement tank to cost $20,000 to $22,000. The replacement and installation of pumps is estimated to cost $5,000. “This is the stuff that you don’t see when you are driving down the road,” he said. “It is exactly why we need the building project. Sooner or later we are going to have to address these things. They will have to be fixed.”
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Income tax talks continue in West Liberty |
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Written by Editorial
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Thursday, 14 March 2013 14:19 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the West Liberty Village Council regular meeting minutes from Feb. 25. WEST LIBERTY – Council resumed discussions over the possibility of a village income tax during its Feb. 25 meeting. Council members were informed the Finance Committee met recently and is “seriously” looking into an income tax. Village Clerk Cindee Boyd stated she has been in contact with Michelle Jordan, a tax manager for Central Collection Agency. Jordan will be attending the next council meeting to help answers questions council may have concerning a village income tax. Council was reminded that according to Ohio Revised Code, municipalities can levy up to 1 percent on residents’ income tax to generate funds without putting the issue before voters, and the option is available to include a credit for those residents who pay elsewhere. Also during the meeting, Logan County Commissioner Dustin Wickersham informed council the village is receiving a check in the amount of $1,291 for participating in the Community Recycling Incentive Rewards program. As part of the program, the village received $10 per ton of recycled material collected in 2012 at the village’s 24-hour recycling center. In all, the village recycled 129 tons at the center during 2012, which was an increase in 7 percent from 2011. In other business: •Wickersham gave council an update on the status of the Logan County Courthouse. He said when upgrading/repairing a 142-year-old courthouse, things need to be done to meet specifications and building codes. Wickersham said it’s a long process, but it will get done. •Council passed a motion allowing Dennis Lance, a Street Department employee, to receive his probationary period raise of 25 cents. The raise will be retroactive to when he received his commercial driver’s license. •Boyd said village residents no longer wishing to receive the Sunday Extra from the Urbana Daily Citizen can cancel it by calling the UDC office at 652-1331.
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Village officials working on sign, contractor registration ordinances |
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Written by Editorial
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Thursday, 14 March 2013 14:16 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the Russells Point Village Council post-meeting notes from March 4, which were submitted by Mayor Robin Reames. RUSSELLS POINT – Council took the first step toward passing a sign ordinance and contractor registration ordinance during its March 4 meeting. In regard to signs within village limits, council passed on first reading only an ordinance amending the village’s previous sign ordinances which were reported to contain a specific prohibition against certain billboards. Council also discovered recently its political sign ordinance may be in conflict with current constitutional protections. In response to the recent discoveries, council agreed it necessary to amend the sign ordinances to allow local and regional businesses to advertise services in the village and to allow political signs in accordance with constitutional protections. As for the contractor registration ordinance, council noted after reviewing documents pertaining to this subject, it discovered village ordinances contain specific requirements for contractors doing business in the village. After discussing the current ordinances, council deemed it necessary to amend them to provide residents with more information regarding contractors working in the village. The newly-written contractor ordinance was passed by council on first reading only. Also during the meeting, Mayor Robin Reames presented council with two possible changes to the Code Enforcement Office. Reames suggested establishing a Zoning Amnesty program, which would require changing ordinances, and she discussed the possibility of having the Code Enforcement Office open on Saturdays during the spring and summer months. After discussing the possible changes, council agreed it did not see any benefit to the village to make the changes. Council, however, did suggest Code Enforcement Officer Joel Kranenburg be available by appointment only on Saturdays, and he should make random inspections throughout the village on Saturdays. |
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