CENTERBURG — With the remaining condition satisfied — a completed sanitary sewer line — Centerburg can start the process to annex 104 acres into the village.
The land consists of four parcels on Columbus Road, south of the village. Two properties are owned by Whistle Stop, one by Knox Community Hospital, and one by William Saunders.
As part of the annexation agreement, KCH was to install a gravity flow sanitary sewer system along the Whistle Stop and Saunders properties to the KCH parcel.
At Monday’s village council meeting, Village Administrator Joe Hardin said that “all testing is satisfactory” for the line.
KCH is building a $9 million, 17,000-square-foot health care facility that includes primary and specialty care and a variety of outpatient medical services. KCH expects to complete construction in December.
Hardin is obtaining and reviewing estimates for electric and gas suppliers for the village’s offices and facilities. Noting that the market is “pretty volatile,” he believes the village can lock in good rates if it signs a contract soon. He will present legislation at council’s June meeting.
Fiscal Officer Shawna Humes reported that the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) sent letters to residents who did not file village income tax returns and collected $15,706 in unpaid taxes. The village’s cost for the service was $411.
Council waived the required three readings and adopted a resolution to take the standard allowance of up to $10 million in revenue loss for ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money.
Taking the standard allowance means that the village does not have to calculate lost revenue for years 2020 through 2023. It also means that the village can use its ARPA money for any service or project generally provided by a municipal government.
“We do not have a loss of revenue with COVID,” Fiscal Officer Shawna Humes told council. “However, this is their way for smaller communities to use the money as they think best.”
In other business, council:
•Gave the first reading to legislation authorizing the 2023 budget
•Renewed Ohio Plan property, casualty, and general liability insurance through the Rinehart Walter Danner agency. The annual cost is $16,807, a $941 increase over last year. The policy includes higher coverage limits in five categories.
Councilman Dave Beck said the newly formed Sidewalk Committee will begin to assess all of the sidewalks in the village in terms of repairs and priorities. Council allocated $4,000 in the 2023 budget for sidewalks.
Miscellaneous
•It was reported that the Hilliar Township trustees did not follow through on their no-confidence vote in Fire Chief Mark McCann.
•The village ordered a radar speed sign which hopefully will arrive within the month. The cost is $2,990.
•Electrical upgrades are planned for the village building on Dally Street.
•The Central Ohio Joint Fire District personnel have unionized, and the COJFD board recognized the union. Negotiations are underway.
•The COJFD board signed a contract for a new fire engine; it will take two years for delivery.
•Council member Saundra Dove provided details about the Facade Improvement Grant offered through the Area Development Foundation.
