SCHOOL LEVY Kati Burt came in to give the Pioneer Village Council the school districts new tax levy which will see the districts first operating tax increase in 20 years
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Pioneer Village Council rescheduled their Monday, February 12, 2024 meeting for Valentine’s Day at 5 p.m.
After the pledge of allegiance, the Pioneer Village Council approved the minutes of their last meeting, the bills as presented, and heard from sheriff’s office candidate Jason Randall, who welcomed questions and shared the recent details of his campaign.
Randall had previously served at the sheriff’s office for 16 years, and has since decided to run against his former boss.
They then heard from Kim Oxender, and shortly after approved the fireworks fund and donated man hours for the memorial event.
Kati Burt came in as a citizen to address information on the proposed school levy, which will be the first raise in operating taxes the district has seen in the last 20 years.
Another citizen asked if there were contingency plans in place in case of an EMP that would down the internet.
The citizen spoke of their concern on how the village would respond to a mass emergency event wherein communication is cut, and the mayor shared that they had as much backup and planning in place as a small village can.
The police report was accepted as presented before the fire report began, with 32 calls being answered this month. The preconstruction meeting for the new fire truck went well, and council may soon see a change order with regard to the project.
Firing training at Angola Trine University will be happening this weekend, and the chicken drive through at the fire hall and school fire safety training program are being prepared for.
The fire report was accepted as presented, and Mayor Kidston shared how the village is currently working on replacing aging fire equipment. He spoke on how a $330,000 fire engine has now turned into a 1.5-million-dollar project, with rising costs reflected everywhere.
Due to these increased costs, the mayor shared that new service contracts are being looked into for the servicing of surrounding townships as currently village residents are left shouldering the costs for the fire department alone, while the village’s fire protection services currently encompass surrounding townships.
Township residents shared that a 111% tax increase is a large jump from the service contract made with them two years ago, and wonder why capital costs weren’t put away throughout the past decade.
The mayor invited the residents to look over the fire department’s budget, and the resident shared that the 3% increase was adequate before the village decided to purchase a new truck.
“If you want to kick us out of the contract, just let us know, because we aren’t raising any more money because we don’t have it,” shared a Bridgewater Township resident.
The mayor shared how older engines have an issue getting repaired, with parts being scarce. The conversation continued for the next 20 minutes, with the mayor and resident circling around the issue of expensive equipment, tax increases, and the term subsidization.
Large trash day is scheduled for April 19th and 20th, 7:30-3 p.m. and 7:30- 12 p.m. respectively. Revamping the website was discussed, and an offer was presented. Council agreed that the offer was more than fair, and the 175th celebration was discussed, including a 100-drone light show.
The Dearborn and Cedar Streets project were discussed, and the project is waiting on funds to be accrued.
A property owner shared that after their driveway was redone, they owed more taxes due to an increase in their property value.
The resident expressed dismay at how the increases in property taxes have been seen due to village approved projects, and shared that the residents should have a more active role in planning, sharing that with an outdated website and other obligations during meeting times, the decisions made by the village comes as news to most residents.
The resident shared that the council should be more proactive with reaching out, and insisted it was not the resident’s responsibility to make their individual wishes known.
The fact that their website is out of date was cited, as there is no way for residents to obtain agendas, meeting minutes, ordinances, and other government documents that are generally passed on their first readings.
The resident also expressed concern over being able to commit the time to coming to the meetings, as they often are rescheduled with little notice and regularly last upwards of two hours.
They told Mayor Kidston that there is too large of a disconnect between village administration and Pioneer residents, sharing that he “talks over” the residents when they express concerns with administration’s plans for the village.
The mayor answered that they are out on the streets talking to the residents, and that residents that have things that they would like to see addressed need to express their concerns so that they may be better known by administration.
A motion was then made approving the street project in the event that all funding can be accrued.
The digger truck has gotten tagged for replacement, and council had to decide whether to bid on a truck or order a new one.
There is a year or more turnaround on getting a new truck built, but it would be easier to make sure the truck is up to the specifications the village needs it for.
The engineer recommended that the village go out for bid on the top three trucks, and shared that smaller trucks should be shied away from because of the services they currently use the truck for.
Administration was authorized to put a bid out for a truck to use while they figure out a more permanent solution.
Mrs. Gruber shared information on school leagues and teams, and shared that a motion is needed for an account for Summer Recreation for umpire checks. The motion was made and carried.
The Pioneer Village Facebook page is now up and running, and a $10,000 grant has been approved, which went to equipment costs. Engine braking signs were discussed for fifteen minutes before the Clark Street substation generator and start up work were discussed.
Ordinances passed on their first reading included: Ordinance 03-2024, amending appropriations for 2024; Ordinance 05-2024 for a right of way work permit; Ordinance 102-2024 for Cedar Street; Ordinance 103-2024 for East Dearborn Street.
Mayor Kidston then left the meeting, turning it over to council. WEDCO Executive Director Ashley Epling then came in, explaining to council that the original tax abatement agreement made for the AquaBounty project had expired due to the project not being completed on time.
This made council have to reapprove the tax abatement for the project, which they did shortly before entering executive session.
