News Briefs Week of 5/3/2021
Homestead Exemption
program expands
Ohio has expanded the Homestead Exemption to include the surviving spouse of a public service officer killed in the line of duty.
The credit applies to real property taxes starting in tax year 2020 and to manufactured home taxes beginning in tax year 2021. The reduction applies only for the primary residence owned and occupied by the surviving spouse, and applies through the tax year in which the surviving spouse dies or remarries.
A public service officer includes a peace officer, firefighter, first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-1, paramedic, or an individual holding any equivalent position in another state.
The reduction in taxes is equal to the tax on $50,000 of true value, without being subject to any income limits.
Matthew Oestreich, Wood County auditor, called the exemption, “a small token of appreciation honoring the brave sacrifice of these men and women.”
To qualify, DTE Form 105K needs to be submitted to the auditor’s office by the surviving spouse.
The application must also include a letter or other written confirmation from an employee or officer of the board of trustees of a retirement or pension fund in Ohio or another state, or from the chief or other chief executive of the department, agency, or other employer for which the public officer served when killed in the line of duty.
For more information, visit the Wood County auditor’s website at https://auditor.co.wood.oh.us/ or contact them at (419) 354-9150.
Plan commission
to hear township
zoning changes
Changes to the Troy Township zoning resolution will be considered by the Wood County Planning Commission at its May 4 meeting.
The township is changing the resolution to clarify the need for residents to have a zoning permit for fences, pools, ponds, outdoor furnaces, and signs.
The other change will require applicants for a zoning permit to file a statement of intended use with the zoning inspector prior to the inspector issuing a zoning permit.
The plan commission will also consider an application to rezone about 12.6 acres of land in Perrysburg Township from A-1 agricultural to C-2 community business.
The applicant plans to develop a commercial retail center and self-storage facility on the parcel, which is in Road Tract 6 of the township.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the county office building in Bowling Green.
Water & sewer
district awarded
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) received the Ohio EPA’s Frist Encouraging Environmental Excellence for Communities Award at the Implementation Level.
The District was one of seven Ohio communities to receive the award. Other communities and agencies include Bradford Wastewater, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, the City of Upper Arlington, the Willard Wastewater Treatment Plant, the City of Dublin, and the Westerville Energy Division.
According to the Ohio EPA, the award program recognizes communities for implementing environmental stewardship initiatives through environmental, economic, and social programs and activities.
“Environmental stewardship is a priority for the entire District team,” said Jerry Greiner, district President. “Each action we take, from implementing green practices in our building to using technology to save on fuel, helps in protecting the environment for future generations.”
GLCAP helps local
families with utilities
More than 1,200 households stayed warm through the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) during the 2020-2021 winter season.
GLCAP’s EHEAP services began Nov. 1, 2020 and ran through March 31, 2021 to help Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County residents with utility payments to prevent disconnects or to reestablish disconnected service. EHEAP funding also helped households replenish supplies of heating fuel such as wood pellets, propane, or kerosene.
The final total number of households helped through EHEAP is still being tallied. As of now, $404,751 in assistance has been pledged through EHEAP.
Although the EHEAP program has ended for this winter season, residents still have time to apply for assistance through the regular Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) that provides a one-time energy credit for utility or bulk-fuel bills. The program is available to households at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $39,300/household of four). The deadline to apply for assistance through HEAP is May 31.
For more information, visit www.glcap.org/heap or call 1-800-775-9767.
Marine Apprenticeship
course enrolling now
The Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Marine Technician Apprenticeship is accepting students for summer courses.
Classes begin May 17 at Terra State Community College. Students may also be eligible for tuition assistance through the Job Corps Scholars program offered by Terra in partnership with GLCAP.
The apprenticeship program trains students in marine electricity, welding, forklift certification, boating safety and other skills that are crucial for employment in the marine industry. Students who successfully complete the course will earn a state-certified apprenticeship credential as a marine service technician.
In addition to classroom instruction, the apprenticeship also offers on-the-job training with employers. Upon completion of apprenticeship training, students will receive state and national certification as a marine service technician.
Students will also have access to career coaching support and job placement services through GLCAP during the course.
For more information or to enroll in the course, call 419-559-2349 or visit glcap.org/marinetech.
Renewal levy on
Woodville ballot
The Village of Woodville is seeking renewal Tuesday of a 9.4-mill, 5-year property tax levy that pays for general fund municipal operations, including police, street improvements, maintenance of village buildings and grounds, the municipal pool, parks, museum and other facilities.
The levy generates about $385,000 annually, Barb Runion, village fiscal officer, said.
Woodville doesn’t have a municipal income tax, she said, and revenues from utilities aren’t included in the general fund. Consequently, the levy shoulders the burden of covering most of the village expenses.
The police department absorbs more than half of the general fund and streets take in another 20 percent.
For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy costs about $329 a year in property taxes.
Residents with questions about the levy and village expenses may contact Runion at clerk@woodville.net or by calling 419-849-2731.
GOP club to meet
Robert Sprague, treasurer of the State of Ohio, will be the guest speaker at the May 6 meeting of the Oregon Republican Club. The club will meet at 7 p.m. at the conference room of the Hampton Inn, 2931 Navarre Ave.
Prior to being elected treasurer, Sprague was a state representative for the 83rd House district and was auditor and treasurer in his hometown of Findlay.
For meeting information contact Lynn Gibbs, 419-481-2442.
Road closure
The Ottawa County engineer’s office has hired a firm to conduct testing on Elliston-Trowbridge Road over Toussaint Creek that will require the closure of the road between True and Hellwig roads.
Work will begin May 3 and continue through May 5. Buses, emergency vehicles and through traffic will be prohibited and motorists are advised to use an alternate route.
The engineer’s office maintains a project update listing on its website.