Mineral City will seek income tax increase again

At their Jan. 8 meeting Mineral City Council members voted to place an income tax increase on the May 6 ballot. This will be the second time village officials will ask voters to approve a 1% additional tax, the first increase since the 1950s. Residents voted down the measure in November.

The proposed tax increase will not affect residents who are retired or unemployed, nor will it affect residents with disabilities.

According to Mayor Laurie Green, all additional revenue raised by the tax, should it pass, will be divided between equally between the street and general operating funds.

Reports to council

Village Solicitor Cassidy Wahlie reported the court case involving a driver who damaged a section of guardrail on state Route 800 entering town was settled, with the defendant being ordered to pay $500 restitution to cover the village’s insurance deductible.

Fiscal Officer Becky Carpenter said a check was received from the Public Entities Pool insurance in the amount of $6,990 to repair the guardrail.

Carpenter also stated that Joe Krocker, who had been serving as the IT person for the village website has retired. Krocker recommended using Tony Eckert, who has offered to host the domain for $19 per month and to handle domain registration for $15 per month. Council approved the costs, which will be billed annually.

Green said a complaint has been lodged about chickens being raised on a Grant Street property and asked that a zoning violation letter be sent to the resident.

Green also reported that Dave Collier from the fire department was contacted by the company that replaced the flag pole ropes in front of the station. The company had overbilled the village and the fire department foundation by $461 and will be sending a reimbursement check.

Fire Chief Sam Moore said the security cameras ordered in response to the vandalism at the fire station have been installed.

Reporting for the street committee, Moore said he has contacted AEP to report that 12 street lights in the village are out. And for zoning, Moore said a zoning violation letter will be sent to a Miners Street property requesting a trash cleanup.

Councilman Rick Cain said the Friends of the Library are applying for a grant in the amount of $24,529 to repair and close off a crawl space that was recently damaged by water. He also reported that 363 of the 1,000 Cow Patty Bingo tickets have been sold. Once all tickets are sold, the drawing will be held. Tickets can be purchased at the library or from Rick Cain.

In other matters

There is still one open seat on council. Anyone interested in being appointed to fill the seat should send a letter to the attention of the mayor at Village Hall, P.O. Box 336, Mineral City, call 330-859-2222. or send email to mineralcityoh.org.

Council voted to change its schedule to one meeting per month instead of two. Meeting will be held on the second Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. in Village Hall.