PEMBERVILLE – Village residents will face levies in November to help support the police department and
parks and recreation.
Council Tuesday night decided to ask residents to support a 2-mill levy for police and a 0.25-mill levy
for parks and recreation. The vote was 6-0 on the police levy, but Dave Miesmer voted against the parks
and recreation levy.
Mayor James Opelt said passage of both levies would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about 19
cents a day. Opelt said that brings it down to the simplest level for the voters to understand.
Before the vote Police Chief Richard Bingham said the village’s request for a police officer under the
federal stimulus COPS program had been "denied but not rejected." Bingham said that meant the
village still had a longshot at money if more funds were put into the pot or enough other towns declined
to take the grants.
Opelt said he was aware that Eastwood School District would likely be on the ballot and that the
Pemberville-Freedom Fire Department will have two renewal issues on the ballot.
The mayor said the village expects to receive $100,000 less in income tax in 2010 because of the closure
of the Modine plant. "These levies will help up pick up about 55 percent of that loss," he
said.
Council member Christian King suggested Congress ought to take the money it wants to add to Cash for
Clunkers and put it in the COPS fund. "We do need funds," he said.
Finance Committee Chairperson Margie Cox agreed "the village is going to need funds."
Opelt said council will have to be united in its efforts to get the levies approved.
King said anyone interested in serving on a committee to promote the police levy should contact him.
Keith Madaras, who heads the parks and recreation committee, said that group voted not to put a levy on
the ballot, feeling the police levy was more important and didn’t need any competition. The levy will
raise about $6,700 per year.
Council also:
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Discussed proposed changes to the golf cart permit ordinance. The changes would offer one-year permits,
along with the present five years, and also allow one day permits at $1 per day during special events.
Operators would have to be at least age 16 and hold a valid driver’s license.
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Introduced an updated Personnel Manual and Rules and Regulations for Employees. Plans call for employees
to be briefed on the update. Miesmer asked that all comments and suggestions be made in writing to help
the committee keep track of concerns.
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Heard three letters from residents who want a four-way stop at Perry and Maple streets. Bingham said he
supports the change and council was supportive. Legislation will be needed.
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Held an executive session to discuss property and then adjourned without taking action.