Sugarcreek water rates to rise 3% annually starting in 2026

Sugarcreek Village Council passed an ordinance setting the water rates in the village during its Aug. 4 meeting. The water rates will increase by three percent each year for four years, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The first reading of the ordinance was held June 16.

Council also passed an amended resolution, in its final form, adopting a statement of services to be provided for the annexation of the Skyline Meadows School property. The land to be annexed borders Mike’s Lane on the west and Skyline Drive on the east.

“It was decided that Mike’s Lane will continue to be maintained by the Sugarcreek Township Trustees and Skyline Drive by the village,” Village Solicitor Doug Frautschy said. “It will take one to two months to have all the documents completed.”

Mayor Walt Wilson received a complaint from a resident that individuals were playing pickleball at 6:45 a.m. The pickleball courts are open from dawn to dusk. Wilson said that unless neighbors complain, there is no need to address the matter.

“The individual that complained does not live near the courts,” Wilson said.

Council also did the following:

—Agreed to repair the Welcome to Sugarcreek sign coming from the west into the village at a cost of $6,600. The cost will be split between the village, the Sugarcreek Business Association and the Ohio Swiss Festival.

—Heard council is not interested in paying for a Welcome to Sugarcreek sign coming into the village near Heritage Crossing. Council also declined to offer snow plowing at Heritage Crossing, as it is privately owned and there is too much liability involved for the village.

—Learned Boston Street property has been mowed, and two other properties of concern are baling hay at those sites.

—Heard work has resumed on Maple Street. New water lines and curbing are being installed, and the brick street will be paved.

—Heard a request to have a Frontier telephone property located near Main Street mowed before the Ohio Swiss Festival. Village Administrator Kevin Kaser said the company is difficult to find and who is in charge of the building.

Other information

The Sugarcreek Business Association will hold an auction and fireworks show on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the pavilion behind Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue, located at 152 N. Broadway. There will be a vendor show from 2-6 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. Sugarcreek UCC Church will offer pie and ice cream for sale. For information, go to the website at sugarcreekbusinessassociation.com.

The 72nd Ohio Swiss Festival will be held Sept. 25-27 and is sponsored by the Ohio Swiss Festival committee. Registration for the grand parade is online only. There will not be paper forms for all floats, queens, fair royalty and commercial businesses. The deadline to register is Saturday, Sept. 20. Lining up for the parade begins at 10 a.m. on Sept. 27 at Miller Avenue School. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. down Main Street.

Committee meetings will be held Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. for finance and at 6:30 p.m. at the fire station to discuss renovations before the council meeting at 7 p.m. at 410 S. Broadway, Sugarcreek.