3/22/17 – 9:18 A.M.

A 6-mill property tax levy is a step closer to appearing on the ballot in Fostoria this fall. The Review-Times reports Fostoria’s City Council approved a fiscal recovery plan on its third reading during their Tuesday meeting. The plan aims to get the city out of its fiscal emergency designation within five years.

The state-appointed Financial Planning and Supervision Commission has to approve the plan before the levy goes on the November ballot. The group rejected a different plan in January, saying it put too much burden on taxpayers.

Fostoria’s general fund came into this year with a negative balance of more than $696,000. Under the recovery plan, the general fund would see a three-month carryover balance of more than $1.9 million by 2021.

MORE: Review-Times

3/22/17 – 5:28 A.M.

Income tax revenue in Findlay is down around 11 percent from last year. The Courier reports the city has collected roughly $600,000 less than through the same time in 2016. Income tax collections stood at $5.1 million last Friday.

City auditor Jim Staschiak tells the newspaper it’s still early in the year and officials will keep monitoring the situation. He added, “we really don’t have a solid handle on it until September-October.” Staschiak said it’s too early to consider big spending reductions.

Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer says, “We’ll continue to track the revenue as it comes in, and as we get into the fourth quarter take a look at anything that we would have to do operationally going into next year.”

MORE: The Courier

3/22/17 – 5:17 A.M.

Plans to improve the Blanchard River channel through Findlay are moving forward. The Courier reports the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District has agreed to move ahead with preliminary engineering work. Representatives of Stantec Engineering say the improvements would lessen flooding in the city.

The first part of the project calls for soil borings along the river bank in Findlay. The largest part of the work includes cutting benches into the banks between the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge and Broad Avenue. Stantec also calls for widening the bridge’s supports. Stantec says that should lower the 100-year flood by around a foot.

Improving the river channel could cost $20 million. Project manager Steve Wilson says Hancock County has enough money set aside to pay for this part of the project. Stantec also recommends building two dry storage basins south of Findlay. The total cost for the project including building the storage facilities is around $160 million.

MORE: The Courier

03/21/17 – 11:33 P.M.

The bicycle ordinance before Findlay city council was discussed last night. Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer clarified that it isn’t a ban. The current law isn’t very clear and he wants to see it rewritten because safety is a priority. Bikes will still be allowed downtown, you’re expected to walk it or pedal slowly.

 The restriction will fix the current law which states you must ride your bike on the right side of the side-walk. It does not clarify which direction you must be heading so you’re either close to businesses of the street. This provides a danger to automobiles and pedestrians. Schmelzer said that they encourage biking and pedestrian travel but want everyone to be safe.

Council was unable to vote on the ordinance since they did not have a three quarter majority. Councilman-At-Large Grant Russell said that it wouldn’t have gone to vote yet even if they did since it has received some criticism.

03/21/17 – 11:05 P.M.

City Council started the process to improve an intersection in Findlay. Service Safety Director Paul Schmelzer said that the project will add in a traffic light.

Paul Schmelzer

The resolution started funding for the project at $25,000. The state will contribute $75,000 to the project.