CENTERBURG — Personnel topped the agenda on Monday in what was a relatively light Centerburg Village Council meeting.
Council members approved pay rates for all village employees, full- and part-time.
The fiscal officer position will change from salary to an hourly rate of $27 per hour for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. It will also become a part-time position rather than full-time.
The following rates will become effective Jan. 1, 2024:
•Village administrator $70,000.
•Utility billing clerk, $22.75 to $25/hour.
•Executive administrative assistant, $22.75-$28/hour.
•Utility worker I $22-$26/hour.
•Utility worker II $28-$32/hour.
•Utility worker III $29.27-$38.59/hour.
•Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) Class I operator $26.46-$35.28.
•WWTP Class II operator $29.27-$36.94/hour.
•Zoning administrator/code enforcement officer $18-$22/hour.
Council members suspended the three readings and approved hiring G. Michael Ullom as the new fiscal officer. Ullom will begin his duties Dec. 5.
Council also waived the requirement that Ullom reside in the village. He lives about three miles outside of the village in Hartford Township, Licking County.
Village Administrator Teri Wise said she will post ads for hiring a utility worker and a WWTP Class I operator. The WWTP operator left to rejoin his former company. She also plans to hire someone to take minutes at meetings.
Downtown lighting
Council members suspended the rules and passed legislation authorizing Wise to solicit bids for the downtown lighting project.
The estimated cost is $177,267 and covers the purchase and installation of 12 lights, poles, and banners between Clayton and Preston streets.
The village will pay $52,000. The Area Development Foundation and Heart of Ohio Business Association will cover the remaining $125,267.
related reading
The lights will look similar to the ones Danville installed in February.
Other legislative action
Council passed on first reading a contract with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services. The amount is not yet known as it depends on the results of union negotiations.
Council members suspended the rules and passed the legislation as an emergency to maintain coverage.
They took the following additional actions:
•Amended both the 2023 and 2024 annual appropriations.
•Gave the second reading to legislation involving membership in the Regional Planning Commission.
Last official meeting
Council members bid farewell to Councilman Rusty Griffith, whose term ends Dec. 31.
In the Nov. 7 General Election, village council had three open seats. Two were for full terms; one was Griffith’s unexpired term.
Three candidates ran for the two full-term seats. No one ran for Griffith’s seat, which means the seat will become vacant Jan. 1, 2024. Council has 30 days after Jan. 1 to appoint someone to the position.
Dec. 31 is also Councilman Dave Beck’s last day in office. Daniel Hardwick edged Beck in the Nov. 7 election for one of the full terms.
However, Beck said he would like council to consider him as a candidate to fill Griffith’s position in January.
