2010 Ashville Annual Report by Mayor Wise

I want to start out the report on last year by saying it has been an honor to serve as Mayor of Ashville. It has also been a pleasure to work with a council that has been engaged with the business of Ashville and able to work independently and challenge each other. It has been nice to sit back let committees work and have faith that tasks will be completed.

The Ashville government has just completed a planning workshop and a new ten (10) year strategic plan for Ashville. I will defer reporting on some items because they will be in the completed strategic plan due to be released in a couple weeks.Fortunately, the village revenue has continued to see slow growth in 2010, which goes against state trends.

This year’s budget is $5.9 million which includes potential grant monies. These numbers include utility, dedicated funds, and unrestricted General Fund accounts. The village has set aside some rainy day funds also.The Facilities Committee has been assessing the needs of the various departments and will be making a report to council soon. We are currently renting space for sand, gravel, salt and cold patch storage.The Utility Committee and department have made arraignments for maintenance painting and sealing of the east and west water towers internally and externally at a cost of $358,000 over six (6) years. They are also working on growth contingency plans on water and sewer plant expansion.The Service Department is coordinating with ODOT on finalizing plans for the St. Rt. 752 and Long Street intersection reconstruction including turn lanes and new lights.

The Police Department will be assessing the impact of increased staffing. We have made a major investment in police personnel and provide a minimum of two patrol cars in service at any time.Finally as a big priority this year is paving and repair/maintenance of our roadways, in particular Jefferson Avenue and part of East Main Street, with a combination of paving and crack seal. Cost of paving has increased tremendously and every raise in oil prices directly impacts cost.Lastly.

I will be appointing a charter committee to explore the establishment of a charter for Ashville. We will obtain some copies of charters from communities that work and adapt it to our needs. The charter commission has one year to work on the details and present back to council. This is placed on the ballot at the next general election and voted on by the electorate. This process is very public and I encourage you the citizens to be involved. Some of the benefits are it can allow us to not hire statutory positions such as certain directors, auditor and other positions that cost funds that may not be justifiable when we reach city status. We can remain non-partisan which means no primary runoff, less campaigning and hopefully less conflict. It also gives the residents more power on how the government operates, passes ordinances or raises taxes.

Lastly we are still in good shape financially, we are not laying off employees, cutting services or planning on raising taxes.

Village of Ashville, Ohio

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Steve Welsh is the Mayor of Ashville. He became Mayor on January 1, 2024 after the November 2023 election. 

Mayor Steve Wesh took the Oath of Office on December 18, 2023. The oath was performed by Brian Garvine with Mayor Welsh's family standing with him. See picture to the right. The Oath of Office follows:

Section 733.24 | Mayor of village.

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AGENDA

COUNCIL

JUNE 3, 2024

CALL TO ORDER AT 6:30 PM

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  May 20, 2024 Regular Session

PRESENTATIONS: NONE

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

LEGISLATION

RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING

06-2024           A RESOLUTION AMENDING ORDINANCE 2024-04, THE PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE VILLAGE OF ASHVILLE, OHIO, AND AUTHORIZING THE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER FUNDS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS TO SATISFY THE VILLAGE’S AGREED UPON SHARE OF THE STATE ROUTE 316 PAVING PROJECT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

07-2024           A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR AND FISCAL OFFICER TO EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE WITH KRISTIN CLEMENS AUTO GROUP, LLC AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

OLD BUSINESS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

MAYOR’S REPORT

CLERK/FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT

• Then & Now payable to Crossroads Community Planning, LLC for zoning ordinances updates in the amount of $8,000.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS: (MUST FILL OUT SLIP AND PRESENT TO CLERK/FISCAL OFFICER OR MAYOR 10 MINUTE LIMIT)

COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT