By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A couple weeks ago when Bowling Green city administration officials presented their proposal for funding two new fire stations, police station renovations and street repairs, City Council member Bill Herald praised the effort.
“You’ve shown leadership in trying to move the city forward,” he said.
But on Monday evening, Herald presented his own proposal – this one taking more from the sewer and water capital improvement fund to “bump up” funding for street and sidewalk repairs.
“Council should have input into the process,” he said as the meeting began of the Transportation & Safety Committee, which he chairs.
While the administration came up with the plan, it’s up to council “to get the very best proposal to put to the voters,” Herald said.
The city administration’s plans for funding two new fire stations, renovations to the police station and street repairs includes the passage of a 0.15% income tax, and a shifting of 0.15% of the city’s existing income tax collection to go from the water/sewer capital fund into a capital improvement fund and street repair fund.
But at the committee meeting Monday evening, Herald submitted his own plan which would take more money from the sewer and water capital improvement fund and put it in a street and sidewalk fund.
The administration’s proposal already created the need for higher water and sewer rates. And Herald’s plan would necessitate even higher rates, Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said after the meeting.
But Herald stressed that the city is not keeping up with its street and sidewalk repairs, and this would be a good change to make while revisions to the allocation of income tax funds are being considered.
Herald expressed concern about the fast approaching deadline for the city to get the income tax increase on the November ballot. Council must have a decision made by mid-August to submit the issue to the Wood County Board of Elections.
Herald lamented the fact that there is little opportunity to study the proposal further.
“It’s summer. People aren’t really thinking about income tax,” he said. He had issued a specific invitation to the community to attend the committee meeting Monday to give their input on the income tax proposal.
One citizen spoke about fire station construction considerations for the city’s sustainability. One asked if the street funds could be used for “Complete Streets” projects like bike lanes. And one requested that the speed limit on East Poe Road be increased from 25 to 35 mph between Main Street and the CSX railroad tracks – unrelated to the other discussion.
The two other council members on the Transportation & Safety Committee – Jeff Dennis and Joel O’Dorisio – voiced support for the city administration’s proposal.
“I think it’s a great proposal,” Dennis said. “I know nobody is in favor of tax obligations,” but the city has a responsibility to provide police and fire services.
“The need at this point is very clear,” he said.
The number of fire and EMS calls have more than tripled, from 1,095 calls for service in 1992, to 3,418 calls in 2022. The number is expected to hit 4,000 this year. Calls for police have doubled from approximately 15,000 in 1984, to 30,000 in 2024.
It is critical, Dennis said, to keep emergency response times low.
The “fairly modest” income tax increase, plus the adjustment in the utilities rates would be a good way to fund the improvements, he said. The increase in utilities rates would make sure that businesses share in the costs, Dennis added.
And even after the increases under the city administration’s plan, the water and sewer rates in Bowling Green would be much lower than surrounding cities. Perrysburg customers pay three times, and Napoleon customers pay four times the Bowling Green rates.
“I think it’s a good proposal,” Dennis said.
O’Dorisio agreed, noting Bowling Green water and sewer customers would still be paying the “lowest taxes in the area for these services.”
He also spoke in favor of the plan for two new fire stations and demolition of the Court Street station.
“We have a demonstrated need for expanded fire services,” O’Dorisio said.
Herald defended his proposal for shifting water and sewer funds to streets and sidewalks, saying the city has more streets than money to maintain them.
“I think every one of us understands our streets need it and our sidewalks need it,” he said.
Discussion on the fire and police station plans and funding will continue at the next City Council meeting on July 7, at 7 p.m.
