ROSSFORD – City residents will see three renewal levies on the November ballot.
Council on Monday approved placing a 2-mill renewal levy for capital improvements and operations for parks and rec; a 2.8-mill renewal levy for capital improvements for the fire department; and a 1-mill levy renewal for fire personnel.
All are for five years.
According to city Finance Officer Chris Kirk, the parks and rec levy is projected to collect $21,713 in 2025.
He reported the fire capital improvements levy is projected to collect $366,397 and the fire personnel levy is projected to collect $130,856.
Council approved 5-0 all three ordinances to place the levies on the ballot.
Zachary Owen and Brenna Reynolds were excused from the meeting.
After the meeting, Administrator Allyson Murray explained the city will use what is collected by the fire levies and general fund monies to pay for its full-time fire department, which has an estimated annual budget of $2.8-$3 million.
She said at this time, the city would not be asking for additional money from taxpayers to fund the department.
Murray said the department is taking applications with the intent to hire six-eight full-time firefighters and EMTs.
If they want to go to 15 full-time firefighters in the future, that will require an additional levy, she said.
“Right now, there are no plans for a new levy,” she said.
Also at the meeting, Caroline H. Zuchowski-Eckel, chair of council’s public works committee, reported the city was looking for additional funding for the $2 million roundabout at Superior Street and Bergin Avenue; was considering the traffic access for Ohio 65 through downtown; and heard a request from police Chief Todd Kitzler for more speed signs to place around the city.
Letters will be sent to the residents along 220 feet of Hannum Avenue where the sidewalk will be replaced, she said. Homeowners are responsible for 80% of the cost of new sidewalks along their property.
The city received a $450,000 grant to place pedestrian beacons along Superior Street in front of the rec center and at Memorial Park, she said.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Scheduled a public meeting Aug. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Penta Career Center to discuss the Buck Road/ Glenwood Road roundabout; and a public meeting for Aug. 13 for the Jennings Road project (time and location to be determined).
• Approved the closure of Santus Drive on Aug. 10 from 3-7 p.m. for a block party.
• Approved the closure of westbound Superior Street and Bergin Avenue around Danny’s from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a date to be determined this fall. The closure of streets along Danny’s perimeter will allow for a national act to perform.
They’ve put $4 million into the downtown, we should give them a night, said Mayor Neil A MacKinnon III.
• Approved an outdoor patio area with seating in from of Moe’s Place.
• Approved the waiver of $571.08 in penalties charged by the Regional Income Tax Agency ((RITA) for a resident
• Canceled the July 22 meeting and moved the August meeting to the 5th.
