Edison Council opened the New Year with the swearing in of Mayor Sandy Ackerman, Council member Eldonna McKinniss and Street Commissioner Jerry Reeder. Council member Sherry Crawford was not present to take the oath of office.
Fiscal Officer Bruce Seaburn asked council how they wished to have late and past due taxes collected. He had received a letter from RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency) requesting to know how collections should be done. In the past the council only had them send letters.
Council discussed whether residents were getting the information about taxes in a timely manner. They decided that the details about the one-half percent income tax should be posted in businesses, put on the sign in front of the municipal building and go into the newspaper.
Seaburn explained that this one-half percent tax is for village operations and can be taken out of peoples’ paychecks or be paid in a lump sum. Forms are sent out to village residents and are available at the Edison municipal building. He said there are not that many people behind in payment, but the RITA agency wants to know how to make collections.
Council asked Village Attorney Denise Martin to call people at RITA and ask what is involved in collections and what charges there will be to the village if they do more than send a letter.
A resident asked what to do about a dog nuisance in their neighborhood in Edison. It barks a lot, gets onto their property and neighbors feel it may be dangerous. Attorney Martin advised that they should contact law enforcement; in this case the sheriff’s office should be contacted. She added that they may also want to consult with an attorney about the matter.
In routine council business, Street Commissioner Jerry Reeder received approval for a Purchase Order (P.O.) for $200 for repairs on the salt spreader and a P.O. of $300 for berm stone.
Council members asked Reeder about the plans for Buckeye Training & Fitness moving to a building on St. Rt. 95 in Edison. Reeder said they are working on remodeling the building. He said he has spoken with the owners and they have the permits they need and have made arrangements to have water and sewer taken care of. He said their place on the west side of Edison is temporary until the remodeling of their new place beside the Bible Church is finished.
Mayor Ackerman asked that council members and village employees who have not yet taken the National Incident Management System test (NIMS test) should get it scheduled. Some grants require this test for application and it can be taken on line.
Seaburn received approval to pay bills for December and year end for $24,843.61 and for January for $15, 166.26. Council passed Resolution 2016-01 to close the Mayors Court Checking Account and move all monies to the primary village checking account. They also passed an ordinance stating that no credit is provided to residents for tax paid to other municipalities.
Ordinances will be posted at Korner Klippers, Elite Images Body Shop, Edison Post Office, Edison Municipal Building and the Edison Barber Shop. The next meeting of the Edison Village Council will be on Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
