UTICA — Plans to pursue a village operating levy were addressed when Utica Village Council met Monday evening at Utica town hall. After the unsuccessful passage of last week’s operating levy, council agreed to approve Resolution 11-023 certifying the necessity for a levy in excess of the 10-mill limitation.
A first reading was also given to Resolution 11-025 for council to consider pursuing another 8-mill levy on a future ballot. Options were also discussed on pursuing differing levies other than the 8-mill.
Village resident Sherry Torrens asked if council has considered pursuing options of a light levy, street levy or police levy in light of recent inability to have a levy approved.
“I was very disappointed with the levy failure,” said Utica Mayor Larry Friesel. “There are tough decisions ahead.”
Monday’s meeting opened with the awarding of a solid waste collection contract to begin in January 2012. With bids being submitted from Big O Refuse, Rumpke, Allied Republic and Waste Management, council awarded the contract to Rumpke with the regular rate being $10.67 per month with a fuel surcharge and $9.59 for senior citizens.
Council then recessed for executive session to discuss legal matters. Upon return, approval was given to Ordinance 11-026 authorizing the village solicitor to pursue collection of sums pursuant to findings of the state auditor’s report released Oct. 20. Details were in reference to three findings of recovery against former clerk/treasurer William Dunlap and Ohio Farmers Insurance Inc.
