Village of Ashville, Ohio

Financial

One of our primary fiduciary obligations is to deal with village operations from a sound financial perspective. The Council and I put together the 2021 and 22 budget to fund many of the services and projects that are underway and in a manner to anticipate our future needs while using a conservative approach to that development. 

To find out more information click on the above image..

Cooperation

The village continues to seek collaboration with other local entities that would strengthen our ability to meet your needs. In 2016 we completed a water interconnection with South Bloomfield. This has provided a more secure water supply for both communities. We anticipate doing a similar project with Earnhardt Hill Water District. Ashville joined Consortium III for recycling and refuse services. Consortium III includes Grove City, Jackson Township and the Village of Urbancrest. The agreement runs through 2021. Ashville was able to supply a 65 gallon red recycle and 90 gallon gray refuse container. Our recycling has increased to 17 million tons per month.

Other entities or programs we work collaboratively include: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA), Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), Ohio Public Works Commission (OWPC), Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), Pickaway County Community Action Organization (PICCA), Pickaway County Chamber of Commerce, and Pickaway Progress Partnership (P3). You will see the results of that collaboration in the next section on Projects. Current private projects include Miller Commons, Ashton Crossing, Suburban Village, and more to come in 2019/20.  One of our primary fiduciary obligations is to deal with all aspects of village operations from a sound financial perspective. The Council and I put together the 2018 budget to fund many of the services and projects that are underway and in a manner to anticipate our future needs while using a conservative approach to that development. 

 Click on the image to the right. You can find out more information on the website. 

Department Reports

  Police Department

The police’s mission is to protect our community. They have an established set of Core Values:

Integrity
Our officers are people of the highest character who hold honesty above all else and are not afraid to admit when they are in error.

Professionalism

Our officers are well trained and knowledgeable; they are prepared for the job both mentally and physically. Our officers are courteous and respectful to the people they encounter, and are always ready to take charge of any situation.

Sense of Justice

Our officers are fair and impartial, treating no one as if they are better or worse than anyone else. Our Officers will always do their best to help the victims of crime, while protecting the rights of the accused.

Duty
Each officer takes their oath of office seriously and will carry out their duties to the best of their ability, regardless of personal feelings.

Loyalty

Our officers are not only loyal to the administration and the officers appointed over them, but also to their fellow officers and the citizens they serve.

Discipline

Our officers have the ability to recognize what task needs to be done and to complete these tasks. Each officer has the willingness to be accountable for their actions and words in dealing with the public. Each officer is willing to work as a team with other officers and agencies.

Courage

Our officers know that the job is often dangerous, and they have the strength to face that danger even in the presence of fear.

The Village and Police Department are working on drug and traffic enforcement. We are involved with a task force, Pickaway Addiction Action Coalition (PAAC),  which has developed plans to deal with the opiate issue in Ashville as part of Pickaway County. This is a nationwide issue. The Police Department expenditures in 2018 were $759,740 which is a 7.4% decrease from 2017. They are purchasing a vehicle. They will continue to use the bodycams acquired in 2018.               

The police is charges with the mission to protect our community. The council and I will provide police the resources to accomplish their mission.

Service Department
The village is committed to make our streets as safe as possible to drive but that is an increasing challenge for all municipalities. We have partnered with CDBG, ODOT, and the OPWC to fund paving projects. This you can see from our past and current project list. This is an area were funding is out of balance with costs. Most project revenue streams are either in decline or out of balance with costs. We will continue to look for funding partners and alternative plans. Parks and Recreation is looking at forming a Foundation to help support its future plans. We are happy the Park District levy pasted and will be making requests to access those funds for our community. We need to review the aging equipment in the service department and see how we can economically replace that equipment. We continue to work on stormwater management. At times this is done as part of our I and I improvement plan. The Street Department expenditures in 2017 were $ 246,187.04 or 1.3% over 2016. For parks and recreation expenditures were $45,680, just $20 more than 2016 expenses. The Stormwater Department expenditures were $59,336 or $6,000 less than 2016. Click on the image to the right. You can find out more information on the website by accessing the Monthly and Annual Reports.
Utility Department
The Water Resource Recovery Facility, as indicated before, is a major project. The purpose was to build a new sewer plant that will meet the village’s current and future needs. This project is based upon a mandate of the EPA and recommendations from AECOM, a consultant hired in 2013. As part of that mandate with OhioEPA we are working on Inflow and Infiltration (I&I).  Our website had expanded your capability to monitor your own utility usage and payments. By following on our website the image beside the Facebook Logo you can reach the billing web-portal. Even if you do not pay on line you can see current and past activities on your account.  In the Water Processing area we completed Special Environment Projects (SEP’s). It now has emergency power back-up capabilities. We also replaced four meters that have improved on the production efficiency of the facility. In 2016, we connected with South Bloomfield. In 2018/19 we will be exploring a similar option with Earnhart Hill Water Sewer District. The Consumer Confidence Report   (CCR) is  an  important source  of information on the quality of your water. That report is available on our website. Click on the image to access CCR. The operational expenditure for the Water Department was $343,862 a 14% increase over 2016. The Wastewater expenditure was $530,234 a 3% increase over 2016. With the new facility in operation for 2018 we will have to carefully monitor the cost to operate. Click on the image to the right. You can find out more information on the website by accessing the Monthly and Annual Reports.
Planning & Zoning/Building Department
The Planning and Zoning/Building Department continues to be busy with Ashton Crossing, Suburban Village, and Miller  Commons.   This department work includes signage and uniform enforcement of codes in conjunction with the Police  Department. Their expenditure in 2017 was $43,316.  If you are interested in these private building projects you can access that information from our website by clicking on the image to the right.
Miscellaneous Items and Departments
For you beyond Safety Forces refuse has become one of our larger items on the General Fund Budget. In 2017 expenditures reached $381,304. The Village worked toward getting Gas Aggregation as an option.  This  program allow us to pool our resources  to obtain more competitive pricing on natural gas. For 2017 it was reported that the  808 or  93% of residents participated and saved 10%. We have a Tax Department that will help you with your local RITA Tax. The Tax Department has a webpage for you. We continue to work as part of the Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) group and the two Joint Economic Development Districts JEDD’s). You can see the growth as you drive on State Route 762.

Water Resource Recovery Facility

This is the largest project the village has undertaken. This will produce a 900,000 gallon plant that will meet the requirements established by the OhioEPA Findings and Orders. The evaluation of wastewater occurred in 2012 followed by design. Construction of the facility began March 21, 2016. This project is now completed and operational. When the operational fine tuning is completed it will cost 15.5 million dollars. Funding sources include Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance (DEFA), and Ashville. The Water Resourse Recovery Facility was presented on our website with its own webpage. You can access that page by click on the image to the right. It is your project and your money. Therefore, we wanted to ensure that it was done in a very transpartent way. Later in 2018 this facility will have an open house. See this site and the Newsletter for that announcement.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Sidewalk Project - on the west side of Long Street from Station to State Route 752. Estimated Grant $28,460.85 Local Funds $7,115.21 for a $35,576.06. With the CDBG West Long Street Sidewalk you will soon be able to walk safely from Savings Bank or Dollar Genera to Lexington, Scioto, and Jefferson Street.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Center Alley Project – this project is between West Main Street and Madison Avenue. In addition to that alley water run-off and secondary alleys will be improved. CDBG Grant includes $57,694 and $8,701.18 local funds. Total projected costs to be $66,395.18. 

The banners to the right represent the activities available in Ashville. We thank the organizations and people whom make all the events in the village a success. Easter Egg Hunt,  Viking Festival, Fun in the Sun, July Fourth Festival, Food Festival, Gazebo Gatherings, Halloween Parade, and December Holiday Events. You can find out more information about these events on our website.

I look forward to continuing to work for you. None of what we do would be possible if it wasn't for the great citizens we have, council members that work together well, various boards, and of course our loyal employees.

Thanks again, and for more information on what is happening in Ashville go to our website the address has not changed: www.ashvilleohio.gov

Sincerely,

Charles K. Wise