Village council reviews levy options

FORT RECOVERY — One of the village’s tax levies is up for renewal.

Fort Recovery Village Council discussed Monday whether to continue with the levy or look into an income tax levy in lieu of its current real estate tax levies.

Village administrator Randy Diller explained the village’s 2.5 mill — in Ohio, property taxes are charged as mills (millage), with one mill equal to one-tenth of a cent — five-year general expense tax levy is up for renewal in the fall. Fort Recovery currently has four real estate tax levies on the books, he noted, with three at 2.5 mill and one at 2.3 mill.

“We’ve ran them as renewals for a long, long time, so they aren’t collecting at 2.5, they’re probably collecting at 1.5 or something in that range because we’ve reached assessment over the years, maybe less than that,” he said.

The current levies generate about $286,000 annually for the village in different areas, including the general, storm, wastewater and street funds.

Diller recalled discussion in the past about rolling over to an increased income tax and doing away with real estate tax levies.

“Now I know that the real estate taxes are definitely a hot button right now, but so are income taxes in a lot of ways with people starting to feel a little stress on their budgets,” he said.

Diller noted a ballot issue being pursued right now that would eliminate all real estate taxes in the state of Ohio, which he pointed out would not be feasible without replacement revenue, referencing school and community budgets.

Diller suggested council not renew its other levies if it were to pursue an income tax levy. He said he’s looking into whether the village could repeal the other levies.

Answering a question from council member Luke Knapke, Diller said the village is the only community in its surrounding area at a 1% income tax, with other entities at 1.5% or higher.

Village council will need to make a decision next month and approve related legislation by August. Diller asked council if they would like him to look into more details about pursuing an income tax levy. 

Council member Cliff Wendel said he felt like the village should at least learn more about it.

“I would say we’ve got to hear more, at least understand more about the whole situation, and how it impacts the Fort Recovery residents that we have,” he said. 

“From my perspective, nobody here at the table probably wants to increase it, but the fact that everybody else is 1.5% or higher, or at least the majority … we have to seriously entertain it and do our due diligence on that,” Wendel added.

Diller said he would look into details for council to discuss in July.

Council also approved a $499,201.71 bill from Tom’s Construction for Butler Street reconstruction work. Diller explained the project is mostly finished with the exception of traffic signals, which won’t arrive until early August. There are temporary stop signs set up at the intersection of Butler and Wayne streets in the interim.

Also Monday, council approved a $406,103.85 bill from Caldwell Tanks for work completed on the second water tower in the village. Diller pointed out the tower is nearly complete, with electrical and other final work to be completed before it goes into service by July.

In other business, council:

•Heard village representatives hosted a committee meeting prior to council’s meeting Monday to discuss potentially enacting Community Reinvestment Area tax exemptions. Diller shared plans to look into more information on the matter, which would require village council’s approval. According to Ohio Department of Development’s website, the Community Reinvestment Area program is “an economic development tool administered by municipal and county government that provides real property tax exemptions for property owners who renovate existing or construct new buildings.”

•Approved its Mercer County Solid Waste five-year plan on a third reading.

•OK’d paying a $4,851 bill from PMG Consulting for work completed on a water plant study. Diller noted final design work for the project should be ready by the end of the month.

•Were reminded Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee is slated for June 13 through 15, starting with the Taste of Fort Recovery at 5 p.m. June 12 along Wayne Street.