PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COUNCIL MEETING … West Unity Mayor Don Leu (left), along with council members Kevin Gray (middle) and Stephen Marvin (right), discuss the proposed parks renewal tax levy at its council Meeting on Thursday, October 9.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Voters in West Unity will be deciding on a renewal one-mill tax levy for parks following approval by the West Unity Village Council at its meeting on Thursday, October 9.
Following a roll call of council members, Kevin Gray, Shawn Blaisdell, Terri Lebowsky, Nathan Massie, Stephen Marvin, and David Short, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a prayer given by Pastor Robert Rodriguez of Solid Rock Church.
Council approved a resolution to place the renewal one-mill tax levy for parks on the May 2026 primary ballot with a third and final reading.
The renewal tax levy will collect $22,582.35 annually for a period of five years commencing in the 2026 tax year, with the first payment being made in the 2027 calendar year.
Local resident Jason King addressed council members regarding the upcoming live nativity event, which is annually held in the village during the Christmas holiday season.
The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. King requested that the council close down a section of North Main Street from the stoplight north to the alley at 2:00 p.m. to put safety measures in place.
King added in addition to the live nativity animals being featured, the Cadet Chorale will be singing, and the Solid Rock Church, along with a couple of other organizations, will be performing skit plays to make it a true community holiday event.
Council then went into executive session at 7:38 p.m. to discuss the 2026 village budget and returned to regular session at 9:41 pm.
Mayor Don Leu updated the council regarding the Rupp Oak Street Tank Agreement, in which council member Stephen Marvin made the motion to approve, with Nathan Massie seconding. The motion carried 6-0.
The agreement means that West Unity continues to provide water to the system according to the village’s rate schedule.
It also requires the village to provide ongoing routine maintenance, and that such maintenance costs shall continue to be paid or caused to be paid by Rupp or otherwise billed to Rupp’s building tenants as reasonably incurred by the village.
It was also noted that the current billing amount for standard upkeep and maintenance for the entirety of the building is $8,313.10 per annum, billed pro rate on square footage in four equal payments.
Village administrator Josh Fritsch reported that repair work on the South Oxidation Ditch will start soon, with RAM Construction of Toledo doing the work.
Fritsch told council members he recently attended the Ohio Public Works Commission hearing to obtain a grant to help cover the costs of the South Liberty Pump Station.
“They (OPWC) gave us the maximum amount of points,” said Fritsch. “We can get extra points that they can award to people, and they gave us the most points of obtaining a grant.”
He added that the OPWC approved $175,000 in grant money towards the project and will be applying for $400,000 in CDBG grant money next year.
Fritsch also noted that the big trash fall pickup is completed, and beginning on Tuesday, October 14, the village will begin its leaf collection.
Fiscal Officer Sarah Higdon told council that she had recently met with the Auditor of State regarding cybersecurity protection in the village.
She added that it will be included in next year’s audit, and the village has to comply with cybersecurity, and a list of computer equipment is being compiled with the village’s insurance carrier.
Leu read a thank you letter from Millcreek-West Unity School District thanking the police department for their participation and support in the “Stuff the Cruiser” school supply event held before the start of the school year.
The mayor discussed with the council a village ordinance concerning all downtown commercial buildings located between Liberty and Defiance Streets. This also involves Jackson Street, which is only a C-1 district.
He noted that all downtown commercial buildings cannot have housing on the downstairs floor and asked the council to approve the measure and send it to the planning commission, which will make the changes recommended.
Massie made the motion to send it to the planning commission, with Lebowsky seconding it. It was approved by a 6-0 vote.
Council then adjourned at 10:06 p.m. The next meeting is Thursday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m.