PEMBERVILLE — Mayor James Opelt suggested Tuesday night that Pemberville Village Council consider placing
a two-mill levy for the police department and a 0.25-mill levy for parks and recreation on the November
ballot.
Opelt also outlined a series of suggested cuts if voters do not approve the levy. He said council should
be ready to make a decision at its Aug. 4 meeting and propose alternatives to his list of cuts. The
village has until Aug. 20 to submit issues to the Wood County Board of Elections.
“I know this is a bad time, however, I just can’t see why we shouldn’t give the levies a chance another
time. Going on the ballot in November isn’t going to cost us anything. If we go to a special election
there will be a cost,” Opelt said.
“These amounts are the bare minimum,” he added.
The police levy would run for three years and generate an estimated $53,684 a year. Opelt proposed that
if the levy does not pass the police sergeant position be reduced to part-time and patrols and officers
available be cut from 20 hours to 14 hours per day. There would be no purchase of new vehicles and
sponsors of events in the village that require police help would be required to pay all of those costs.
The two-mill levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home a total of $61.25 a year. Opelt said the
combined cost of the levies would be 19 cents per day.
The levy would cover about one-quarter of the police budget. “This is something we have to do. We need to
get out there and sell it and be positive, positive, positive,” Opelt said.
The park levy would raise an estimated $6,700 a year for three years. The mayor suggested if the levy
doesn’t pass, all restrooms in the park be closed, mowing be done every other week, there be no repair
of equipment, no help with preparation of the baseball field, no development of Northwest or Oberhouse
parks and the pool schedule be shortened.
Opelt had high praise for the police, noting that eight officers had been on duty most of last Saturday
for the community garage sales. “Only one was being paid. These people give up their time. They are
outstanding people.”
Council Members Christian King and Eric Campbell had problem with the mowing reduction at a time when
village officials are struggling to get some residents to take care of their properties.
Council President Gordon Bowman said residents need to hear about the mayor’s experience with the police
officers. “There are clear-cut consequences. It is not a Pollyanna situation. Help us or here are the
consequences. We need to make it clear.”
Council also:
• Discussed possible changes to golf cart regulations. The possibility of one-day passes for $1 is among
the changes that may be in a revised ordinance at the Aug. 4 meeting. Bowman said he has seen golf carts
being driven by youth who look younger than the legal driving range. Residents are asked to call police
if they observe underage drivers on public property or streets.
• Heard a report from Bowman that there has been some preliminary interest in the Modine plant site.
Bowman said the village needs to come up with a package of incentives to help attract state help to fill
the impending vacancy.
• Learned heavy brush pickup is Aug. 3. Campbell said brush is not to be put out before noon on Aug. 2.
• Held an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
