Dover approves added splash pad funds, hears concerns over TIFs

Dover is still on track to build a new splash pad beside the pool in Dover City Park this year, but increases in cost led to the passage of an emergency ordinance at their April 20 meeting. Ordinance 14-26 authorized additional funding of $78,600 to cover the rising costs of the project.

Council had previously authorized the expenditure of $289,000 for the engineering, construction and installation of a splash pad.

“I think nine companies picked up packets for the splash pad. We had three submissions; that price was based off the lowest bidder of all of them,” Mayor Shane Gunnoe said. “Unfortunately, the components have taken a pretty dramatic rise in the last six months or so as we work through the legislative process on our end.”

“The good news is we do have the funding within the master capital from other projects that have come in under budget,” Gunnoe said.

Under budget projects like the pickleball courts saved $80,000, and two additional projects are about $50,000 combined under budget.

Previously, the city accepted three donations for the splash pad for a total of $105,000 and another private donation for $111,000 that will be utilized for the splash pad.

“The splash pad itself is still funded largely with the private donations. We just need this additional funding to complete the project,” Gunnoe said.

The splash pad will be a welcome addition to the park as it will provide a safe and inclusive recreational activity designed to accommodate children of all ages and abilities.

In his mayor’s report, Gunnoe announced that one new street will be added to the 2026 paving list. The city will pave their portion of Davis Street, which runs between Tuscarawas Avenue and West 15th Street, in a joint project with Dover Township.

A new grocery store project is moving ahead.

Aldi continues to move forward with their plans for the former National Guard Armory land. “Our departments are working out final details with the company regarding exact placement of necessary utility infrastructure, and other final details in preparation for site work to begin later this fall,” Gunnoe said.

In the audience presentation portion of the meeting, council heard comments from city resident Brian Hanner. Although Hanner is a member of the Dover City Schools board, he spoke as a private citizen.

Hanner was concerned that another Tax Increment Financing ordinance (11-26) is being considered and that the cumulative effect of multiple TIF agreements with developers could put a burden on the local school system. In example, for housing projects there could be more students without added taxes to help cover the school's costs. He noted that there are ways to structure a TIF so they do not harm schools as much and invited council members to contact him with questions or for more information.

TIF agreements are already in place with the Schaeffler plant developers and the Crimson Cove housing developers. Emergency Ordinance 11-26, which council voted to hold for a third reading, is to approve a TIF for the Ludy Estates project on St. Peters Church Road.

The new housing development will see the creation of 83 new housing units with one section for condominiums and duplexes that will be privately owned. Another section will be single family homes. It was learned that the 50 condominiums to be built usually result in “virtually no” additional school students in a district.

“I did inform the (Dover) superintendent this was coming down the pike in February,” Gunnoe said. “We supplied the Board of Education with notice. Three of the five members met last week, they chose not to take any action in objection to this. In every TIF that we have done, the Dover Schools stand to benefit in some way.”

Gunnoe listed some recent growth in the city that did not include TIF agreements including the Aldi project.

In other legislation, council approved Emergency Ordinance 15-26 to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the replacement of the Angel Drive Pump Station and Force Main for design, construction, construction administration, and engineering in an amount not to exceed $3,689,000. Legislation was also approved to accept a grant for $1,827,000 for this project.

Legislation was also approved for funding the Wills Avenue storm sewer replacement for $22,000 needed for design, engineering, and construction administration. Legislation was also approved to collect a $185,000 sewer grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission for the reconstruction of the Wills Avenue storm sewer which was damaged by a hill slip.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held on May 4, in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.