Public Meetings

Bluffton council found a way to beat high gas prices. On Monday, council agreed to purchase three 2002 model golf carts from D&J Golf Carts of Bluffton. The total cost of the carts is $12,975. According to Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, the carts will be used in the every-day activities of the service department, sewer department and police.

He said that EMS had previously accepted a donated cart. That cart's use is extensive and it has proven to be efficient.

Parents or guardians of children with disabilities in Bluffton Schools are asked to give input on the way the school district will spend Title VI-B Flow-Thru Funds during the 2011-2012 school year.

Parents should contact special education officer Timothy Closson at 419-358-7951.

The Apollo Career Center board of education's May meeting is at 7 p.m., Monday, May 23, at the Center.

The agenda is an attachment at the bottom of this story.

Dave York Sports, Inc., of Louisville, Ky., was awarded a bid of $64,550 for installing new bleachers at Harmon Field. The bid was accepted on Monday by the Bluffton school board.

In other signification action involving funds, the Bluffton board awarded its 2011-12 school district insurance plan to Fawcett, Lammon, Recker and Associates. The contract totals $38,123 and covers fleet, property and liability insurance for the district effective July 1 through June 30, 2012.

Bluffton water and sewer customers should plan on a five percent utility increase reflected in their July bills.

On Monday, council passed the first reading of an ordinance to increase utility rates. According to Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer, the general fund has helped out the water fund considerably already this year.

"The goal is for water and sewer funds to be self-sufficient and that is not happening," she said. "The general fund can not continue to fund these."

Bluffton council's Fire and Rescue meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 9, has been canceled. In its place, a 7:30 p.m. utility committee meeting has been scheduled, according to Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer.

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