Council creates account for LOIT

Portland is ready to receive its distribution of local option income tax funds.
Portland City Council approved on second reading Monday an ordinance creating a new account to handle the LOIT reserve funds, which the state is distributing to local government units this year.
The new account made is for the city’s portion of the $430 million in LOIT funds the state legislature decided to release as part of House Bill 1001. Portland is slated to receive $441,851.
As part of the bill, the state legislature required that 75 percent of the funding be used for transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges and airports. The remaining 25 percent will go to the rainy day fund.
The LOIT funds were released this week to each county, and they will be distributed to the appropriate government units by June 1.
In other business, council members Michele Brewster, Janet Powers, Mark Hedges, Don Gillespie, Kent McClung and Bill Gibson, absent Judy Aker:
•Approved two tax abatements. Council learned from Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley that requests from TLS by Design and Dayton Progress were approved by the tax abatement advisory committee. TLS by Design requested an abatement on personal and real property worth about $380,000.
Its abatement would save the company more than $19,000.
Dayton Progress requested an abatement to replace two horizontal machining centers for a total of $539,807. The abatement would save the company more than $20,000.
•Heard Hedges’ concerns about local buildings. In an earlier meeting he requested an update on the Sheller-Globe south building at 510 S. Bridge St. Geesaman had an update available but did not bring it with him to the meeting. Hedges also requested an update on the former book bindery building at 518 S. Wayne St., which Geesaman noted he would be able to discuss in more detail at council’s June 6 meeting.
Hedges also inquired the status of the abandoned home at 509 W. High St. that the city has made an offer to acquire. Geesaman said the city is waiting on a response from the Federal Housing Authority. He added that if the city can not purchase the property, it might have to claim eminent domain. City attorney Bill Hinkle said the process could take several months. Field Property Management of Tipp City, Ohio, oversees the house for Bank of America.
•Heard from Bradley the city has three open loan projects with W&M Manufacturing, Fort Recovery Construction and Brad and Pat Daniels for the Jay County Antique Mall. Fort Recovery Construction will receive a letter requesting a meeting to discuss issues with their loan. The Daniels’ are required to make monthly reports for their EDIT grant, and W&M Manufacturing still makes quarterly reports.
•Learned the work at the city hall for flooding repairs is near completion. Geesaman said the interior and roof work are almost finished and stone veneer work to the front of building will begin in June. The project should be complete by July.
•Were reminded there will be a public forum addressing downtown flooding concerns at 6 p.m. May 24 at Arts Place, 131 E. Walnut St.
•Heard Powers ask about the status of Portland Water Park. Geesaman said it is on schedule for its opening date, Memorial Day weekend. He said Milestone Construction came Monday to begin working on the parking lot expansion.
•Heard Geesaman ask residents to take advantage of cleanup week — which began Monday and will continue throughout the week. Gibson urged residents to dispose of old tires as mosquito season draws near.
•Heard an update on the Blight Elimination Program. Geesaman said the city will have an official closing on four properties — 316 Jaqua Ave., 120 W. McNeil St., 952 S. Bridge St. and S. 704 Bridge St. — by week when the titles transfer to Community and Family Services. The city was awarded for a $126,000 grant to remove blighted properties.
•Heard from Geesaman the city has to decide whether to work with associate professor Scott Truex and Ball State University students on a downtown revitalization plan. BSU would not be able to help the city until the fall semester.
•Paid claims totaling $966,728.64.