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Ohio Senate President Matt Hoffman, R-Lima, addresses the audience Wednesday at the annual State of the Villages gathering at the First Church of New Knoxville.
NEW KNOXVILLE - Area officials and business leaders on Wednesday heard a positive outlook for the Golden Triangle at the annual State of the Villages at the First Church of New Knoxville.
Attendees were informed about happenings in Minster, New Bremen and New Knoxville at the event hosted by the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce.
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, took the podium first, announcing he will soon be leaving the Senate due to term limits.
He is running to return to the Ohio House, where he previously served from 2007 to 2014. He is seeking the 78th District seat currently held by Susan Manchester, R-Waynesfield.
Manchester is vying to assume Ohio Senate's 12th District seat presently held by Huffman.
Huffman said it's been a pleasure to represent the area, noting he's one of 12 Senate presidents who have served since the Ohio Constitution was modified in 1967.
Ohio is among the states with the highest tax burden. However, the Legislature has made some strides in chipping away at that status, Huffman said.
For instance, the Commercial Activity Tax minimum for businesses was eliminated on Jan. 1, according to Huffman.
Huffman also said there will be a sales tax holiday in August.
The state appropriations bill as passed by the House in early February contained very little in funding for area projects.
"Fortunately, your senator is Senate president," he said.
He pledged to work with Manchester and State Reps. Angie King, R-Celina, and Tim Barhorst, R-Fort Loramie, to turn out a bill that would benefit the area more.
Following a video message from U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, King addressed the group.
Ohio State Representative Angie King, R-Celina, addresses the audience Wednesday at the annual State of the Villages gathering at the First Church of New Knoxville.
King said residents in west-central Ohio are incredibly blessed.
"It has been a tough year but change is on the horizon," said King, who wrapped up her first year in the Ohio House at the end of 2023.
King discussed the 2024-25 budget, vowing to work to put tax dollars back in residents' pockets and to make investments in education and broadband internet expansion.
She then reviewed legislation including House Bill 4, which would focus on companies that employ environmental or social governance (ESG) considerations, calling it "anti-woke" legislation.
She also highlighted her work on House Bill 245, which would prevent drag shows outside of adult venues, and House Bill 212. The latter is the "Ohio Property Protection Act."
King said it would help prevent foreign entities like the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing land in Ohio and potentially using it for marijuana growing operations.
Next to speak was Patrick McCauley, who appeared on behalf of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague. McCauley reviewed several programs that help people buy homes and fund agricultural businesses.
Minster Mayor Craig Oldiges said from an economic standpoint, the village was very fortunate to have income tax receipts to the tune of $5.3 million.
"This is a record for the village," Oldiges said.
He compared that to 2004, when the receipts were $2.4 million.
"What a great time it is to be in the Golden Triangle, so I'm excited to see that grow," he said.
Regarding community engagement, Oldiges said the village held several meetings with area businesses.
"It gives us an opportunity to understand where the businesses stand and how we can help them potentially grow," he said.
There were 47 building permits issued and eight new homes built in the village in 2023.
"People want to come back, and they want to raise a family here. There's a reason for that," Oldiges said.
Oldiges noted the parks were damaged during a tornado last spring. A major electrical transmission line that serves as the village's primary feed was blown down, but crews worked diligently to restore services in a timely manner, he added.
Other projects and changes discussed were new playground equipment at Paris Street Park and the renovation of the police station, as well as Eric Morris taking over as police chief at the end of 2023.
Oldiges outlined street and sidewalk improvements, the expansion of the village's solar field, which is now producing 9.5 megawatts, and a battery storage project. He also said the village replaced the water tower, which holds 1.2 million gallons.
He finished by recognizing former mayor Eric Kitzmiller and former village councilor Tom Herkenhoff for their many years of service.
Minster Mayor Craig Oldiges and New Knoxville Mayor Keith Leffel listen Wednesday at the annual State of the Villages gathering at the First Church of New Knoxville.
New Knoxville Mayor Keith Leffel said this is his 18th year leading the village. The village last year took in $3.8 million in revenue and spent $3.7 million.
"It's really good to take in the money and just spend, don't overspend," he said.
There were 13 building permits issued and Advanced Machining Solutions opened in the industrial park in 2023.
He pointed to work on streets and storm drainage, as well as improvements to the traffic light, including a battery backup.
The village will add a new fire engine later in the year and is exploring upgrades to the fire department building.
He noted that the staff has been very stable the last few years and praised the efforts of volunteers.
New Bremen Mayor Robert Parker addresses the audience Wednesday at the annual State of the Villages gathering at the First Church of New Knoxville.
New Bremen Mayor Robert Parker then gave an update on his community.
"I'm so thankful that we live in this area," he began.
He praised the work of the village employees to keep things operating smoothly.
The village had $6.1 million in receipts and expenses of $5.2 million last year. Parker said 47 building permits were issued - 42 for residential and five for commercial/industrial for an estimated value of $8.6 million.
He noted that the village has added one full-time and two part-time police officers.
Parker said 765 dried tons of sludge were removed from one of the water treatment lagoons.
The electric meter system was upgraded, a new truck was purchased for the electric department, the swimming pool underwent maintenance and work was done on State Route 274, he said.
Parker said as a result of sidewalk work on Park Street, village councilors decided to go out on site prior to all future street reconstruction projects.
"We're going to go out on site prior to doing a street reconstruction and talk to residents and look at the site to mitigate any issues that we may have prior to construction," he said.
The chamber of commerce's 2024 awards luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. May 7 at the Faith Alliance Church in New Bremen.
