Since last month, Covid-19 cases have continued to decline in our area. However, the vaccination rate still remains at just over one-third of the population receiving the necessary vaccine doses. Now, we read that an additional booster is being recommended for those with compromised immune systems and for people over the age of 65. How effective this additional booster may be remains to be seen. Also, as always the decision to take this vaccination is still an individual choice.
Spring has arrived and with it the colorful blooms on our Redbud, Dogwood, Serviceberry, and Pear trees. Unfortunately, Spring also ushers in unexpected weather patterns replete with changing temperatures, heavy rainfall, hazardous storms, power outages, and flash flooding. This area is not exempt to those changes so be prepared and when threatening storms are approaching listen to your local media. If you have a weather radio, you are better prepared but keep abreast of the weather during these Spring months. As a reminder, don’t drive through flooded low water areas. Be wise and take the time to use a safer route.
This month brings the return of our Pie Festival on April 16th at Town Center. Be sure to attend this event and if you are interested enter your pie in the judging. Otherwise, come and enjoy the day’s activities and bid on a delicious pie to take home. Prior to the beginning of the activities of the Festival, there will be 5k Pie Run starting at the Village Service Center covering a scenic route. So bring your running shoes and work up an appetite.
The city will have a sales tax proposal for an additional one percent increase in our sales tax for a total of two percent. This proposal will be on the ballot for the election scheduled on May 24th. This addition to the sales tax is being submitted to the city voters as a result of the loss of revenue due to the recent litigation settlement. It was necessary for the city to make several personnel cuts which affected all city departments. The city lost eleven employees due to this action. The heaviest hit departments were the Fire and Street Departments. Some reductions were due to retirement and not all due to a reduction in force.
However, the forecasted revenues for 2022 did not allow for replacement of the retirees or continued employment of others. Moreover, no raises across the board were enacted unless there was a promotion or change in assignment. Additionally, we have an aging fleet of equipment and vehicles in our Fire and Street Departments which impacts the effectiveness of service we provide to our residents. Another issue is adequate funds to purchase needed materials for street maintenance coupled with additional personnel required to do the related work.
A forum about the sales tax proposal was held on April 5th at which the city presented the rationale for submitting this issue to the voters. On April 26th the city will answer questions from citizens about the proposal. This meeting will be at City Hall from 6-8pm. We are requesting questions be in writing and dropped off at City Hall or emailed to City Hall: [email protected] in advance of the meeting so thorough answers can be given. Following the meeting we will post answers to the questions on our city website. If necessary another question/answer session will be conducted on May 5th. We encourage voters to support the sales tax increase in order to improve the infrastructure and continue quality of service for our citizens.
