By Lindsey Rowland
lrowland@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus City Council Finance Committee drew a large crowd into their meeting Monday night in Council Chambers. There were two topics that dominated the discussion.
The first brought in a large group from the Bucyrus’ fire and police departments. The discussion was on a proposed levy to be put on the November ballot. Police Chief David Koepke and Fire Chief Jay Keller addressed the council, asking for funds to help their departments.
According to Koepke, the city’s crime rates is reason for concern for citizens and members of his department. Drug activity has peaked, houses lie vacant, and jobs are hard to come by, so many people are turning to that lifestyle to feed their families.
“What will we do about it?” Koepke asked, “We believe in Bucyrus, we just have to fight for it.”
The initial thought was that the money from the levy would go toward more police cruisers, but Koepke affirmed that what Bucyrus needs now isn’t cruisers, but more people to come onto the respective forces so as to properly meet the challenges that currently live in the city.
“We’re getting a lot of feedback from the public that there’s a lot of frustration with crime, drug problems, crime activity related to drug problems and so forth,” Koepke said. “It’s overwhelming the amount of information and complaints we’re getting. We’re desperate.”
As it currently stands, money for public safety comes from local government funds, personal property taxes, and inheritance taxes. Keller and Koepke, on behalf of all public safety workers, suggested for specific money from the levy to be earmarked only for their services- and the committee agreed. A motion was made and passed for a ½-percent levy increase to be put through the Board of Elections and on the November ballot. The entirety of the money will go toward all facets of public safety in Bucyrus, effective Jan. 1.
Koepke said that they were very excited and that both the police and fire departments vow to work together to bring the people of Bucyrus the public safety that they deserve.
The second topic of discussion was one that was being revisited from earlier meetings. Bucyrus City Engineering Department employee Sean Cassaro came to the Finance Committee meeting on Monday looking for answers. The City of Bucyrus, through Law Director Rob Ratliff, gave its answer spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code but Cassaro and some elected Bucyrus officials aren’t satisfied with that answer.
Cassaro’s personal vehicle was parked in the city lot and hit by a city vehicle. The damages are about $2,800 and Ratliff says the ORC indicates the city is obligated to pay for Cassaro’s deductible with the balance being paid for by Cassaro’s insurance. Cassaro is concerned about that causing his rates to increase.
The committee, with at least some of its members sympathetic, decided to table further discussion until Cassaro decides what course of action he will take.