City council thankful for voters support

| May 12, 2015

COSHOCTON – Councilman Glenn Mishler, who co-chaired the Citizens for a Safe Coshocton, was happy to report that the city’s recent proposed income tax increase to help with safety issues was passed by voters.

“We did it with the help of an awful lot of people,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to see it passed and a big relief.”

Council President Cliff Biggers thanked Mishler for his leadership of that committee at the Coshocton City Council May 11 meeting.

“I know there were a lot of things you were doing behind the scenes,” Biggers said.

Mayor Steve Mercer said putting the tax levy on the ballot was a tough decision, but he greatly appreciates the community’s support of it.

“We are all going to be personally affected by it, but this is a good thing for the city and will help us sustain ourselves for a while,” he said.

The city has a rough draft of what it can expect to receive from this income tax increase and is working on a plan for how and where it can help. City Auditor Sherry Kirkpatrick said a special fund is being created for the money the levy generates and the city will then be able to make appropriations from it.

Mercer also mentioned that Columbia Gas will soon be starting its project to replace and update old lines. He and Service Director Jerry Stenner are working with the company to make sure that their project doesn’t interfere with the repaving of SR 541 in the city.

“There will be construction all up and down 541 as they make sure the sidewalks are handicap accessible and redo catch basins,” Stenner said. “There is a lot of preliminary work that needs done before they can start paving.”

He also informed council that the board of zoning appeals voted down the idea of a cell phone tower being built on Coshocton High School property. The school district, however, now has the right to appeal the decision.

During the meeting Sheriff Tim Rogers passed out his office’s 2014 report and told council if they had any questions his door was always open. He also thanked everyone, including his own officers who worked hard to spread the word about the safety levy.

“I’m looking forward to working with the city on hopefully what will be a long term contract and getting stability back in the office,” Rogers said.

The city also is hoping to get the cemeteries cleaned up before Memorial Day.

The upcoming holiday also has council rescheduling its next regular meeting, which will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26.

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

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About the Author ()

I started my journalism career in 2002 with a daily newspaper chain. After various stops with them, I am happy to be back home! I graduated from Coshocton High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2002 from Walsh University. I also earned several awards while working for daily papers, including being honored by Coshocton County’s veterans for the stories I wrote about them. I am honored and ready to once again shine a positive light on Coshocton County. I also am the proud mother of a little girl named Sophia!

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