By Charla Wurm-Adams
cwurm@wbcowqel.com
Members of the Crestline Village Council began the task of cleaning up language of a key financial ordinance to make sure funds are directed to where they are intended.
Council affirmed an ordinance, but failed to get the necessary number of “yes” votes to pass it as an emergency. Allen Laferty cast the lone “no” vote meaning the amended ordinance governing the allocation of village income tax funds will come again before council.
According to Laferty, the ordinance will correctly separate money from the income tax fund and set aside one-half percent strictly for police and fire as a previous amendment directed. Previously, all the funds went into a sub-account in the General Fund.
Council also passed rules for Village Council and an ordinance specifying salaries for village pool workers.
Police Chief Joseph Butler was again a subject at Village Council, but this time in a more positive vein. Mayor David Sharrock read an anonymous letter from a current Crestline police officer. That letter voiced support for the chief who has come under criticism from council members and the community of late.
The author of the letter also criticized Village Council for its lack of support for the department and not showing Butler “the respect he deserves.”
Clayton Herold said 738 Crestline citizens did not file village income tax returns and 187 filed late.
The meeting broke into an executive session to discuss a new council member. Herold announced there would be a special meeting at 7:45 May 13 to appoint and confirm the new member.
The council announced the village will only be spraying for mosquitoes one-tenth of what they had sprayed for last year. The cost of one barrel is $10,000 and 10 of those are usually used. This year there will only be one around Harvest Festival time.