PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
2026 TAX RATES … Council member Rosemary Alexander (left), Mayor Eric Jenkins (middle), and Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn (right) discuss tax rates for 2026 at the Blakeslee Village Council meeting on Wednesday.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Upon the recommendation of Williams County Auditor Vicki Grimm, the Blakeslee Village Council approved the tax rates for the 2026 year at its meeting on Wednesday, August 6.
Following the call, council members Robert Mohre, Linda Muehlfeld, Rosemary Alexander, and Shelly Cox were present, with Nick Reed absent. Also, Mayor Eric Jenkins and Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn were in attendance.
Osborn reminded the council she had to get the 2026 tax rates back to the auditor, which basically determines what the village will receive next year.
Long made the motion to approve the tax rates, and Rosemary Alexander seconded it. Jenkins addressed the council concerning a property owned by Amber Nichols at 424 Washington Street.
He said the property hadn’t been mowed lately, and there were abandoned cars as well on the property. The mayor notified Nichols of the village’s 30-day ordinance to clean up the property this past week.
Minutes from the July 10 meeting were approved. Council also approved the financial report for July. Receipts totaled $2,186.94, with payments totaling $721.09.
Osborn informed the council about the upcoming Williams County Mayors’ Association dinner meeting, which will be held on the third Wednesday of the month.
The village will host the dinner meeting on Wednesday, September 12, at Sam’s Place starting at 6 p.m. Council members are invited to the dinner.
Regarding the recent excessive speed complaints in the village, Muehlfeld said the police cruiser has been more visible outside in July.
Council was informed that the village has applied for a grant with the Edon Area Foundation for the purchase of automatic speed detectors, which will be located at the north and south ends of the village.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the village hall.