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.

While on the vehicle subject, the village is scheduled to replace the service department's Dodge Ram pick-up. The purchase of the three golf carts eliminates the need to replace the Ram with a similar vehicle.

Some modifications are needed to the carts before they are street ready.

It was reported that Bluffton Paving Co., began the 2011 summer street maintenance program on June 10.

Council received a March 17 memorandum by Poggemeyer Design Group, which included minutes of the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC). The council is an inter-jurisdictional body. Its purpose is to review and evaluate performance of local enterprise zones and community reinvestment area agreements in Allen County.

The six-page report included one paragraph about Bluffton which follows: DTR #2 (2000): Jobs down by 132 at plant because transferred manufacturing of some non-profitable products to other facilities (TN) and the company went through a reorganization. Jobs are down 124 since start of the EZ, but met job creation of 20, claiming 67 new jobs. Dave Krabach left company. Motion to continue was made by Dan Reiff, seconded by Marcel Wagner. Continued.

The DTR abatement is the only remaining tax abatement agreement in the Allen County portion of Bluffton. Council okayed an emergency ordinance approving the minutes. The abatement agreement with DTR continues until Dec. 31, 2012.