After reorganizing for 2013, Edon Village Council proceeded with the evening’s remaining agenda and addressed several items, including wages, for the upcoming fiscal year.
Upon emerging from executive session, called late in the meeting to discuss employee compensation and security, council voted to suspend the three-reading rule and pass as an emergency (5-0) Ordinance 02-13 Giving a Two Percent Wage Increase to All Full-time Employees and Part-time Police Officers . Additionally, they suspended the rules and passed Ordinance 01-13 Giving a Two Percent Wage Increase to the Village Fiscal Officer and authorized a five hundred dollar contribution to said employee’s Health Savings Account as well (the same initial amount given all full-time employees at the onset of joining the plan); Councilman Bidwell abstained from voting in the 4-0 decision.
Council also learned from Gary Best, Village Health Insurance Agent, rates for the current Anthem Insurance Plan (Health Savings Account) would once again increase on its February 1 renewal date. Looking into comparable options for them to consider, Best introduced Conrad Beck, local representative of Ohio Plan Healthcare Consortium, Inc., to further explain what it could offer the Village.
Throughout the ensuing presentation and discussion, it was noted Ohio Plan costs would total approximately thirty-two hundred dollars per month, compared to Anthem’s nearly thirty-nine hundred dollar monthly premium charges. With seemingly all questions and concerns eventually dealt with, Council approved obtaining health coverage for Village employees through Ohio Plan Healthcare Consortium.
In other action, Council:
- Accepted the Minutes, Financial Report and bills as presented.
- Voted to suspend the three-reading rule and pass Resolution 01-13 Opposing State Control of Municipal Income Tax Collections; sending certified copies of the resolution to State Representative Lynn Wachtmann and Governor John Kasich was approved as well.
- Heard Chief Tom Szymczak’s monthly Service Log and Vehicle Report for December 2012 (the department’s year end report will be presented next month). He also noted meetings had been held with Edon Schools personnel (in light of last month’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings); the department had participated in the Cops for Kids program and possible new equipment purchases would be discussed with the Safety Committee at a later date.
- Was informed by Street Superintendent Jim Brigle that nine trees had been removed within the Village; quotes for backhoe repairs were being obtained and work at cleaning and organizing the department’s shop continues, as time permits.
- Appointed current member Mayor Darlene Burkhardt and Edon Northwest Local Schools Superintendent Ed Ewers as Village representatives to the 2013 Williams County Economic Development Corporation Board (WEDCO).
- Heard local business owner Eric Johnston’s request for a liquor permit transfer from the Feed Mill to Edon Steak House (Bombers Saloon); upon later review, was approved with no objections.
The next monthly meeting of the Edon Village Council will be Tuesday, February 19, 2013 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.