At its Jan. 23 meeting, Mineral City Village Council passed an emergency resolution to place a proposed income tax increase of 0.75% on the May 6 primary/special election ballot. Council considered asking for a 0.5% increase at the Jan. 9 meeting but realized after another budget review that additional revenue would be needed to keep village streets maintained properly.
Residents currently pay annual income tax of 1%, a rate which, according to Mayor Laurie Green, has not increased since it was first voted in by residents in 1953.
Carpenter told council Jan. 9 that an increase of 0.5% would generate an additional $31,000 per year for the village while increasing the tax rate to 1.75% would generate about $50,000 per year.
If passed by voters, the increase will commence July 1 and will allocate 0.5% of the increase to the general fund and the remaining 0.25% to the street fund.
In other legislation council heard the second reading of an ordinance that would require owners of skilled gaming facilities in the village to apply for permits. If passed, the permit will include a fee of $25 per game, per year for permission to operate such establishments.
Trash can ordinance discussed
Zoning chair Beth Nill said the committee intends to exercise understanding when notifying residents who are in violation of the trash can ordinance. She said weather and employment issues have been causing refuse companies to be late in picking up garbage.
According to the ordinance, trash cans can be at the curb from 6 p.m. the day before and 6 p.m. the day after scheduled pickup dates. Green said the village is always willing to work with residents who have hardships or experience extenuating circumstances.
New firefighter approved
Council voted to accept an application from Shadow Harper for the position of volunteer firefighter as recommended by Green and Fire Chief Sam Moore. Council member Darla Daugherty abstained from the vote.
Street department
Moore said he obtained a cost of $5,000 to transfer snowplow equipment from the pickup truck to the village dump truck. He said the equipment problem he reported at the Jan. 9 meeting turned out not to be the real issues. Moore cited possible issues with the pickup truck as the reason for requesting to move the equipment.
Green advised waiting to make such a decision until such time as there is actually a problem, citing current budget constraints. In the meantime she asked Moore to look into asking the township for help plowing if needed and to consider seeking grant funding.
Moore also reported on repairs he plans to make to a ditch at the intersection of Sandyville Road and state Route 800. The resident there had complained about the bank eroding. Moore has cleaned out the ditch and will run pipe through it and then cover the ditch.
Parks and recreation
Chairman Rick Cain reported on the committee meeting, saying in addition to obtaining prices on playground equipment, they are looking into costs for a new picnic shelter, tables and benches. Cain said the cost of landscaping and putting in basketball courts should come out of the $150,000 grant the village received to build the park. Grants will be sought to cover other expenses so no village funds will be used for the park.
Announcements
Daugherty said the fire department will hold its annual frozen food and grocery auction March 8 and the quarter auction April 12.
Nill announced the Queen of Hearts fundraiser for the library will begin Feb. 14, and the new Senior Center at the former Tusky Valley High School building will host an open house Friday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 4-6 p.m.
Mineral City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday each month at 5 p.m. at Village Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
