PROJECTED BUDGETS … The West Unity Village Council went into executive session from 8:16 to 8:56 p.m. to decide on which proposed budget to approve, voting unanimously on option 2 after returning to regular session.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The West Unity Village Council met on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. for their regular session.
They met with Dave Newcomer and Ashley Epling from the WCPA, passed one ordinance, carried three decisive motions, held an executive session on matters of village employee wages with regards to the budget from 8:16-8:56 p.m., and adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
The ordinance they passed allows for permanent appropriations to balance the budget for Fiscal Year 2023.
The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer, before the approval of the October 12, 2023 meeting minutes were approved after one term correction.
Present were Mayor Don Leu, Fiscal Officer Sarah Higdon, solicitor Mark Hagans, Village Administrator Joshua Fritsch, and Police Chief JR Jones. Councilors Kevin Gray, Shawn Blaisdell, Nathan Massie, Stephen Marvin, and David Short were present. Everyone was then addressed by Ashely Epling and David Newcomer.
Newcomer is heavily involved in his membership of the Williams County Port Authority (WCPA), and Ashley Epling, the Executive Director of the Williams County Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO), has been working with the WCPA as their clerk for a few months now.
They began with Epling sharing this information and sharing that she was there representing the WCPA that night. They came bearing the news of the beginnings of a home in West Unity, with plans for more in the works.
Newcomer then shared the WCPA’s shift in approach with regards to subdivision creation.
As the housing crisis is county-wide, Newcomer shared that there are plans to raise funds county-wide to build multiple subdivisions, so that the expenses of infrastructure aren’t laid upon one municipality or organization.
Epling then highlighted the county’s dire childcare situation, sharing her work towards seeing each community with at least one childcare center, and working with companies to instill employer provided childcare.
The idea of employer provided childcare is taking off, with many companies finding it more cost effective to provide childcare than it is to replace employees that face childcare issues.
Ordinance 2023-8, allowing permanent appropriations, was approved before the West Unity Village Council went into executive session.
Upon their return at 8:56 p.m., they voted on a proposed village employee pay schedule based on three projected budgets, and heard the village administrator, police chief, fiscal officer, and mayor’s reports.
Fritsch shared that Bryan Excavating is nearly done with the extra additions added to the waterline project, extending the lines to Main Street. Grass and sidewalk restoration will occur next year.
The new light poles are entirely up and running, and the village is especially grateful for the donation of a nativity, 12 days of Christmas, and penguin decorations for this year’s upcoming holiday season.
Chief Jones’s report was approved as presented before the councilors made two decisions.
The first was to schedule a zoning hearing for a property the WCPA is interested in for 7 p.m. on December 14, 2023 -which is before the next regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m.
They also held a conversation on a privately operated water tank that has procured unexpected expenses, as well as the concern that this tank is more of a liability than it is worth.
Discussion was held, and it was decided that an ordinance would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting regarding giving this tank back to the original donors, as is their right within the original contract.
It was decided that this ordinance would be given its first reading at the next meeting to give the involved parties time to gather in person to iron out the details.
The clerk’s report was accepted as presented, and Mayor Leu shared that anyone interested in hanging Christmas lights should contact the village administration office, as well as asked council for a decision regarding this year’s Christmas bonus for full-time village employees.
Council decided to make this year’s bonus $75 in “chamber bucks” by carrying a motion made by councilor Nathan Massie before the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
