(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / TTHE VILLAGE REPORTER)
LEVY … Council discusses the upcoming levy on the November ballot and how to go about forming a committee to help inform citizens about the levy.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Montpelier held its meeting on Monday, August 12th. The meeting started at 6:00 p.m. with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
First, the council approved the agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting held on July 8th, as well as the financials.
Rebecca Miller attended the meeting to discuss the upcoming Bryan Area Christian Prayer Breakfast, which is scheduled for September.
Council then scheduled the Trick or Treat event for October 26, 2024, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. They also addressed the Public Safety Levy Committee.
Council talked about setting up a committee to inform citizens about the upcoming fire and safety levy that will be placed on the November ballot.
The proposal is for a 0.2% renewable earned income tax levy, which would cost a household making $48,000 a year $96 annually.
The levy would provide funding only for the police and fire departments and is estimated to generate $287,000 per year for 10 years.
“The committee is independent of the village. Village employees cannot serve on the committee, nor should they be permitted to do so. The committee should have citizens of the village serve,” said Robert Bohmer, the village’s law director.
Council will come together with a list of potential committee members, but Councilman Kannel mentioned that anyone interested in joining the committee can email montpelierlevy@gmail.com.
Council then approved the suspension and passage of Resolution 1402 for Police Pension Transfer and reviewed the income tax report, which indicated that the village’s income tax revenue is up by 4.21% from last year.
Next, the village manager delivered his report, stating that new crosswalk flashers had been installed.
Progress on the Ironhorse trails is ongoing, but there is an outstanding wetland permit that the village is waiting for, which could potentially cause delays.
Work in the Police Department conference room is nearing completion. It is hoped that the alleys will be chipped and sealed at the beginning of September, with the Cranberry Run sewers set to begin in September.
Council then motioned to enter into an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss personnel employment, with no further action being taken. Upon returning from executive session, the meeting was adjourned.