Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

LFA holds first official meeting

By Shelley Grieshop
Submitted Photo

This map shows the boundaries of the Grand Lake Watershed, villages, cities and townships. Representatives will be chosen from the 15 political subdivisions to serve on the new Lake Facilities Authority tax advisory committee.

CELINA - The Lake Facilities Authority officially met for the first time Tuesday as a state-recognized group focused on improving Grand Lake's water quality.
Its board of directors - commissioners from Mercer and Auglaize counties - discussed plans to draft and adopt formal resolutions for the establishment of the LFA and the appointment of a taxing advisory council.
The joint resolution will be written by Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Amy Ikerd, who was present, and reviewed by the LFA board before adoption at a future meeting. A date was not set.
Mercer County Commissioner Jerry Laffin asked how the LFA is categorized.
"Once the entity is formed, it is its own separate political subdivision," Ikerd explained.
Legislators created the LFA in this year's state budget bill; it is the only LFA in Ohio. The group, which could not officially meet until after Oct. 1, can apply for and receive grants, purchase and sell land and propose a tax levy to appear on the ballot for voters in the impacted areas.
LFA members, along with Mercer County Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing and longtime lake advocate Milt Miller, confirmed the LFA meets all the criteria set by the state: a man-made lake spanning more than one-half mile squared; a designation as an impacted watershed; 24 months of EPA microcystin toxin tests showing an excess of 80 parts per billion; and a minimum average of 4,000 state park visitors per year for the last four years.
To meet another state requirement, Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart created a map of the impacted Grand Lake Watershed, showing all 15 affected political subdivisions. They include Celina, St. Marys, Coldwater, Montezuma, St. Henry and Chickasaw; the townships of Granville, Marion, Butler, Franklin and Jefferson in Mercer County; and Jackson, German, St. Marys and Noble in Auglaize County.
Much of Tuesday's discussion centered around the required appointment of a taxing advisory council with representatives from each of the 15 political subdivisions. Auglaize County Commissioner Doug Spencer - reading from the Ohio Revised Code - told the group a notice must be sent to each of those entities seeking council members within 60 days of the creation of the LFA board of directors.
Ebbing stressed the council didn't need to hold frequent meetings or be heavily involved with the LFA.
"They really don't have to have tax advisory (council) meetings until its needed," he said.
Auglaize County Commissioner Don Regula disagreed.
"If I'm on that advisory committee, I want to be in on the initial meetings," he said.
Spencer said the committee's duties will be spelled out by the LFA.
Ebbing said it's important the public realizes the LFA wasn't solely created to propose taxes. He suggested the group first focus on acquiring grants and other funds to purchase land near the lake to slow development and create buffers and wetlands.
Miller concurred, saying the LFA "can't lose sight of its purpose." He reminded the group the council can only recommend a tax levy; the board of directors can put it on the ballot but the public has the final say.
Before the meeting concluded, Laffin asked if the Community Improvement Corporation - also comprised of all six commissioners - would cease to exist. The CIC handled financial matters for Grand Lake clean-up efforts, similar to the role of the LFA, but its power was limited.
"I'd like to see the CIC stick around," Ebbing said, adding the nonprofit organization is "another tool in the toolbox" for officials to use.
Additional online story on this date
WAPAKONETA - Officials with Auglaize County's park district are looking for volunteers to help with a levy campaign to fund the creation and maintenance of parks in the county. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
End of life issues important to sort out before it's too late
CARTHAGENA - Though it's not pleasant to think about, there are several decisions people can make before they die to ensure they have a final voice in their health care, estate and funeral.
Acreage near Windy Point would be used to develop wetlands
MONTEZUMA - Mercer County officials are seeking a $360,000 grant to buy lakeside properties at Windy Point to prevent development and create wetlands
NEW BREMEN - The Miami and Erie Canal Shared Use Path moved one step closer to reality Tuesday night when village council members approved a lease management agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Bryant L. Rhoades, one of two Union City-area men indicted in the November 2011 murders of a Fort Recovery father and daughter, will appear in Mercer County Common Pleas Court Dec. 18 for an evidentiary hearing.
Grand Lake-Wabash Watershed Alliance Coordinator Abbey Tobe on Monday updated joint board members on objectives she plans to focus on next year in her new role. Tobe was hired in August to replace former coordinator Laura Walker, who resigned to take another job.
CELINA - Mercer County officials on Tuesday decided to rehire a company that performed lawn care services for county-owned properties the past two years.
Division II District Girls Soccer at Elida
ELIDA - Two quick second-half goals helped Celina grab the lead for good and the Bulldogs advanced to the Division II girls soccer district final on Saturday with a 4-2 win over Shawnee in the nightcap of semifinal action at the Elida Sports Complex.
Division IV District Volleyball at Van Wert
VAN WERT - It will be an All-Midwest Athletic Conference Division IV district championship volleyball match on Thursday after New Knoxville and Marion Local dominated in three-set victories on Tuesday during semifinal action in Van Wert.
Computer Point Projections
With just two weeks remaining in the high school football regular season, the number of teams still in the hunt for postseason play continues to shrink.