By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus City Council Economic Development Committee met Thursday night and approved recommendations from the Tax Incentive Review Council.
The TIRC recommended approving the renewal of contracts for three Enterprises, and one CRA. BPT 3, BPT 4, and Weithman Bucyrus were the three enterprises, and Mennel Milling was the CRA considered for review of agreements.
Vickie Dishon Enterprise Zone Manager, and CRA Housing officer of the TIRC was asked by Councilman John Walker about the number of employees at the Weithman Bucyrus Company, and if that met the city’s agreement with the company. Dishon said, “As of December 31, 2013 Weithman Bucyrus had three fulltime employees.”
“According to the original agreement Whiteman Bucyrus is to hire two employees, and under the amended agreement Whiteman Bucyrus will receive a 65 percent tax abatement if the company employs between two and six employees according to the contract years of four through fifteen,” Dishon continued.
After approving the TIRC’s recommendations the Economic Development Committee adjourned.
The Finance Committee met to hear appropriation requests from City Auditor Joyce Schifer.
In her requests for appropriations Schifer asked that $1,200 be appropriated from the General Fund for the city’s swimming pool repairs, as well as $2,500 to administrative for a copy machine. The requests were approved.
Schifer also requested that transfers be made from the General Fund to Public Health for $750 to go toward indigent burials, and that $1,000 be transferred to Public Health for the Humane Society which had originally gone to the Services Department. The committee also approved a $500 transfer to cover for rent of a portable restroom at Aumiller Park.
The Health and Safety Committee met at 6:30 Thursday evening to discuss a liquor permit, as well as the ORC’s new amendment on firefighter age.
Council President Sis Love requested to hold off discussion until next meeting explaining to the committee, “I want to investigate further and see why the Bistro is applying for a D3 license from a D5 license.
Prior to adjourning, Law Director Rob Ratliff made the request to move the maximum age for hiring at the fire department from 36 to 41. In his request Ratliff explained that it follows along with the current Ohio Revised Code.