Bluffton council hopes to hold a meeting as soon as possible after Labor Day with the property owners of the North Dixie Highway area that is part of a proposed annexation into the village.

The village meeting with property owners is to answer questions and concerns of all involved. Issues involving the proposed annexation were discussed at Monday's Bluffton council meeting.

Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, said that the Allen County Map Office has received the annexation survey from Bacon and Associates. The office personnel are reviewing the survey.

He added: "When I was there, there were already a number of red notes written on the document, which attests to Bacon's statement that he experienced lots of issues in completing the survey."

Mehaffie said that the tax map office was unable to provide a timeline for the completion of its review. "Because of this, we do not know when the survey will be approved," he said.

Village solicitor, Stephen Chamberlain recommended on Monday that the property owners in favor of annexation sign a new petition for the county.

"I recent weeks, I've spoken to residents from the proposed annexation area," said Mehaffie. "Some have implied that some of the property owners who had previously signed the annexation petition have since changed their opinion."

Mehaffie told council that with all required fees involved, property owners are looking at approximately $10,000 per parcel to annex.

Street repair program

Council approved a street repair program for this fall. Jerry Cupples said that the street fund has about $150,000 in it, but that there are over $400,000 in street repairs needed in the village.

The priority projects okayed by council on Monday include:
o North Spring Street from the bridge to Snider Road
o Jackson Street from Grove to Church Street
o Grove Street, Main Street back 50 feet
o Cherry Street, 50 feet of curve by Geiger St.
o Vine Street (Jackson to Lawn Avenue portion)

As a point of interest, Richard Boehr, attending the meeting, asked if the village had completed any work in receiving the deed to the Jefferson Street cemetery. Solicitor Chamberlain said he had not, but it is on his list of village projects.

The following council committee meeting were announced:
Aug. 26 - Tree commission, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 - Finance committee, to discuss the 2011 budget, 11 a.m.
Sept. 2 - Finance committee, to discuss the village income tax, 11 a.m.
Sept. 9 - Personnel committee, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 - Next council meeting, 8 p.m.