Bluffton school board will put into motion resolutions to place two renewal levies on the May 2019 ballot. The action is on Monday’s school board agenda.
Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent, provided The Icon will the following details on the first levy:
“The first renewal is for the Permanent Improvement one-half percent income tax first passed in May of 2007.
“It has been renewed in three year increments for the purposes of permanent improvements in the district.
Bluffton school board will act on several supplemental contracts on Monday. Each one relates to winter sports coaching positions.
Other action includes offering a contract to Christy Garmatter as a long-term sub and adjusting Larry Diller’s bus contract from 7 hours to 5.5 hours per day. Twelve substitute teacher contracts will be considered as will a substitute educational contract and substitute custodian contract.
The board will also act to accept a $500 donation by the Bluffton Soccer Club in memorial of Bill Gaines.
Bluffton council accepted a 2019 water rate charge increase from Ottawa on Monday. The recommendation was brought to the council by its utility committee (Dave Steiner and Jerry Cupples).
The negotiated water rate in 2018 is $1.86 per 100 cubic feet. The 2019 rate is $1.98 per 100 cubic feet, which takes effect Jan. 1. Dave Steiner of the utilities committee said that he was glad that the rate was able to remain under $2.
The Village of Bluffton is moving ahead with two annexations requests, which would enlarge the village in Orange Township and Richland Township.
The two include:
• Property in Orange Township, owned by Josh Brown
• Property in Richland Township, owned by Bluffton University
Council passed separate emergency resolutions on the requests on Monday.
Both resolutions state the village intents to provide municipal services to the parcels. Municipal services include water, sewer, police protection, fire and other village services.
Bluffton recycling customers will soon experience an additional cost for recycling plus changes in local pickup.
Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, updated Bluffton council on Monday following a meeting with Republic Services, the village recycling provider. Republic's contract expires this fall.
Here’s a summary of Blackburn’s report to the council. Attachments at the bottom of this story provide additional details of the “China Sword” mentioned in his report.
