SWEARING IN CEREMONY…West Unity Village Council held its swearing-in ceremony prior to its council meeting on Thursday, January 8. Taking the oath of office were, from left: Stephen Marvin (incumbent), Randy Mahlman (new council member), Terri Lebowsky (incumbent), and Scott Dunson (new council member).
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
West Unity Village Council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance regulating temporary and transient stores, transient dealers and food trucks in the village at its meeting on Thursday, January 8.
The ordinance, which also includes regulations securing appropriate approvals from the Williams County Health Department, along with a Valid Operator’s License and a Vendor’s License if required. All licenses should be prominently displayed during operation.
In addition, applicants must submit an application no less than 30 days prior to the intended operation date, must pass a background check as approved by the village solicitor and the mayor, and shall pay the required fee as determined in Section 710.05 upon submission of the application.
Council was informed of several changes regarding the one-mill, five-year renewal levy for village parks on the May 2026 ballot.
The levy request, which was already approved by the council, was returned by Williams County Auditor Vickie L. Grimm, who had recommended that the village make changes to it. The county attorney also did not like the way it was written.
“We have to redo it (second one), so I need this one passed tonight in an emergency, and we have to send this one to her (Grimm), and she is going to certify it and give me the totals to put on the second one,” said Village Fiscal Officer Sarah Higdon.
“She (Grimm) also requested that our village solicitor (Mark Hagans) clean up the second one and make some changes. I guess there were some changes between the time of the three readings.
“He is on that, and as soon as I send this and I get it back, then we’ll have to call a second meeting within a week to get that one passed so it can be on the ballot for May.”
A motion was made to suspend the rules, and the council passed the resolution requesting the County Auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the subdivision and the dollar amount of revenue pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.03 (B), declaring it an emergency.
Council also approved a resolution establishing the rates within the specified ranges of pay of certain police officers and employees of the village for the 2026 calendar year. This will affect 13 village employees.
A resolution adopting the Williams County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved.
The plan was developed by the Williams County Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with other county departments, officials, and citizens of West Unity.
The purpose of the plan is to recommend mitigation activities that will reduce losses to life and property affected by natural hazards faced by Williams County and its municipal governments.
Village Administrator Josh Fritsch reported that he is currently working on road paving projects in the village. He is hoping that bids could go out in March for those projects.
Fritsch also requested an engineer to come and survey South High Street to determine where they need to mark the sewer line taps. He and Mayor Don Leu want to get this project out to bid as soon as possible.
An 18-minute executive session was held with no action taken.
Higdon reported on the year-end fiscal numbers for the village. They include projected revenue ($2,804,285.00) versus actual revenue ($2,316,298.21), a difference of $-487,986.79.
Actual expenses ($2,489,893.04) versus actual revenue ($2,280,904.30), a difference of $-208,988.74. Projected expenses ($3,553,007.63) versus actual expenses ($2,659, 736.03), a difference of $-893,271.60.
Kevin Gray was elected as council president for 2026. Prior to the meeting, Mayor Leu administered the Oath of Office to two incumbents, Stephen Marvin and Terri Lebowsky, and two new council members, Randy Mahlman and Scott Dunson.
All four council members will be serving four-year terms from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030.