(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THEVILLAGE REPORTER)
INCREASE … Councilor Sarah Heising speaks to council regarding the recent Utility Committee meeting that saw a recommendation made to increase the city water rate by 5%.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Wauseon City Council members met in regular session on Monday, November 18th. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Minutes from the prior meeting were approved by council before moving on to hear committee reports.
For the Utility Committee, members met on November 4th and were presented with calculations for the water works program and expenditure calculations.
Due to these calculations, it was stated that the need for a slight increase in the water rate would be needed.
This increase would only be for a year, unless extended by the council, and would amount to 5%. This increase would also only be for the water portion of billing cycles, and not for the wastewater portion.
The increase will allow for the city to handle emergencies that pop up and will also help with some bigger expenses coming up. Projections will be viewed next year to see if the increase is still needed.
A motion was made to pass this measure which was unanimously approved. The increase is slated to take effect on January 1st.
Information regarding the recent Tree Commission meeting was discussed next, with the committee still looking to fill a vacant seat.
Information from the Park Board came next with irrigation heads and laser lines being touched on first. Around 100 irrigation heads currently have some sort of an issue and will need addressed.
A cost of $50,000 was also addressed, which will allow for laser lining of two fields, the striping of those two fields and the bringing in of more top dressing. Potential benches from the Veterans Commission were also discussed.
Next came information from the recent personnel meeting. During that meeting the issue of sick and bonus days was brought up for non-union employees.
Before any changes, employees could obtain six bonus days if they did not use their sick time. This was done in an effort to prevent call offs, not to prevent vacation days.
A proposal was made to eliminate the bonus days and give the employees five personal days regardless of sick or vacation time.
Three of these bonus days included are for holidays not recognized by the city and can be used throughout the year.
A clothing allowance increase was also discussed, with it being recommended to raise the amount from $400 a year to $600 a year. Employee badges were also touched on, with a recommendation being made to issue these badges.
Also discussed were pay increases for longevity (years of service). It was stated that, currently, employees of 10-15 years receive a $0.15 raise. A proposal was put forth to increase that raise to $2.00.
Due to the cost, the issue was passed along to the finance committee. The 2025 HR contract was also presented, as well as an administrative compensation plan.
This plan would see a pay increase for administrative staff in order to keep pay scales more separate from the line staff.
It was stated that some of these increases were “tough to stomach” and that work should be done to look at where department head pay is in other areas.
Council then moved to approve a change to the five personal days, the increased clothing allowance and employee badges. Councilor Chamberlin was then excused at 5:28 p.m.
Department head reports came next with the most discussed topic revolving around the upcoming holiday season.
Everyone, especially drivers, were reminded to slow down and take their time more than normal due to crash numbers ticking back up this time of year. Council then moved to approve the following legislative actions.
The first reading of Resolution 2024-34 authorizing the mayor or her designee to execute the Ohio EPA’s final findings and orders; and declaring an emergency.
The second reading of Resolution 2024-30 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association Patrol Officer’s Union.
The second reading of Resolution 2024-31 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association Command Officers Union.
The second reading of Resolution 2024-32 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Records Technicians and Full-Time Dispatchers Union.
The second reading of Resolution 2024-33 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for indigent defense services in county court with the Fulton County Commissioners.
Council then reminded everyone of the Christmas Parade taking place on November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. and that the next meeting will be held on December 2nd at 5:00 p.m. With no other items to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.