Still Tax Time!!!

The Village Council passed the following Ordinances 2010-8 Glenavy Subdivision I/I Project, 2010-9 Phase 1 Sewer Plant Upgrade, 2010-10 Phase 2 Sewer Plant Upgrade. Each of these Ordinances was recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee and passed unanimously by the Council.
The Ad Hoc Committee was formed several months ago, and made up of 3 Council members and 3 members from the community. The Committee was charged with the duty of developing an assessment, or tax, that will be used only to pay back debt borrowed to build the State mandated/required Sewerage System and Plant Upgrades. These Upgrades will stop sewerage overflows into the creek and make Lynchburg compliant with State and Federal EPA regulations.
The Ad Hoc Committee looked at the current assessment practice, which was legally accepted one year earlier to repay the debt. They re-evaluated the situation and after months, and many meetings (with public involvement), they came to a new conclusion. The new assessment/tax will be on the yearly property tax from the County Auditor as before. The new assessment is based on sewer availability, lot/parcel size, and lot/parcel use.
The Administrator mailed out a certified letter, which is followed by a regular mailing explaining how this may affect property owners. This mailing was done as a recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee and Council.
The Council additionally set up an Equalization Board. This board is directed to hear any appeals from property owners. This Board may make recommendations for additional changes on a case by case basis.
The Board will meet on July 5th and July 7th 2010. At this time the Board has not set any other meeting dates. They may not set any additional meeting dates.
IT IS IMPORTANT that if you wish to APPEAL your ASSESSMENT /TAX, that you call the Municipal Office 937-364-2241 and schedule a time during one of these days.
Please do not send me, or any of the Council Members, emails or requests individually as they will not be addressed. IT IS IMPORTANT that the request for an appeal is scheduled within a few weeks of receiving your certified letter. IMPORTANT: The request for an APPEAL has to be made to the Equalization Board. To schedule a time with the Equalization Board call the Municipal Office. 937-364-2241

Take a break from the heat, as summer is upon us. Enjoy the parks and playground around our area.

Jeremy R Shaffer, Mayor.

Turn The Street Lights Off in 2011 & Pay for the Glenavy Sewer Project

The Council Meeting was a very long and intense meeting. Several resolutions were passed in the beginning. I presented quite a list of important and challenging problems that must be solved in order for the Village Government to properly represent the citizens of Lynchburg and to dig out of the mess that has been inherited. I was reminded after the meeting that each of these challenges our opportunities to provide for a brighter future. Each of these items are the responsibility of the local government to look into and in fact it would be irresponsible if action is not taken immediately and the projected negative outcomes occur. These outcomes are higher utilities, higher taxes, and less services to the community. A couple council members even said shut off the street lights when the contract is up in 2011. There will be a Special Council Meeting to work on hand full of these Items next Tuesday at 6PM. The focus will be the budget, more specifically The New WWTP debt repayment and the Glenavy Subdivision Sewerage project debt repayment. Below is a copy of my presentation, which is in an outline format, however the basic idea is probably understood. I projected as clear as I can that I need the assistance of the Council Members and Community to get things done. There are many important problems that have to be addressed, most importantly the growing budget concerns. Budget Numbers for income our becoming available that are accurate, and it is very scary. We have halted a fiscal emergency for now, however it is still on the horizon if we do not make some hard choices and investigate the options so that we continue tho understand the problems and turn those into Opportunities for the future.

The outline below carried much discussion about how we got were we are. The different options available and costs associated with each. Each of the topics will have more discussion in the near future, and will be in depth.


Serious Problems that are Our Responsibility to Address immediately

Long Term Budget:
Law Enforcement (How do we pay for it!)
Streetlight(s) (How do we pay for it!)
Glenavy Sewer Project (How do we pay for it!)
WWTP Phase one & two (How do we pay for it!)
Old Wastewater System Debt (How do we pay for it!)
Park Mowing (How do we Pay for It!)
Council, Mayor, Fiscal Officer (How do we Pay for it)
Cemetery Maintenance (How do we Pay for it)

Capital Improvements on the Table:
Glenavy Water Loop (Phase Three)
Glenavy Sewer Project
WWTP Phase one
WWTP Phase two

Drainage:
How do we repair the water run off in Glenavy?
How do we repair Storm drainage backup on Pearl Street, next to Methodist Church?
How do we repair water run off on South Broadway?
Where do we start when opening up and repairing old storm drain system?

Street
What is the maintenance plan?
What is the street upgrade ( Capital Improvement) plan?
Do we have a long term streetlight replacement plan? (Solar)

Development
Infrastructure Development
Nature / Park Development
Economic Development
What do we need? (Dave Alpern Reported twice on the Needs through community Open Houses and investigating and a comprehensive plan draft,,(where are we)…)
How are we going to get it?
How are we going to clean up downtown?
How are we going to grow business, MFG, Dist, Retail? Tefabco MFG
Comprehensive Plan…..?!!!

Infrastructure:
Water Needs Assessment?
Sewerage Needs Assessment?

Grants and Appropriations - Needs
Infrastructure?
Marketing Study?
Natural Disaster Plan!
Cost Study?
Advertising Study?
Affects?

Ordinances, Resolutions, and General Legislation……
What do you want to change?
What do you want to make better?
Have you made a difference as an elected official?

Problems My Office heard since the Last Council Meeting!
Cat Problem!
Dog Problem!
Possum and raccoons!!
Alleys!!!
Green Space!!!
Heating and A/C Problem at Municipal Building!
People not taking care of Pets!!
Children running the Streets after dark!
People Soliciting Door to Door!
Trees rotting and falling!
Tree Maintenance!
Speed Limits!
Vehicles squealing wheels and loud radios!!
Stop Signs!
Obstruction of Safety Devices!
Drainage, Flooding!
Speeding Ticket!
Parking!
Maintaining Village Buildings!!!
Sewer Backup!!!
Falling down buildings!
Falling down Homes!!
Sidewalks!!
Grocery Store!!
Cemetery Maintenance, Cemetery Vandalism!
Street Lighting!
Sex Offenders not registered Correctly!
Roads Falling Apart!
Right of Way Problems!
Is Demmy Construction fixing Glenavy or the Village repairing, when? What is getting fixed?
People not mowing and maintaining property!
Utility Invoicing complaints!!
U turns, and driving on the wrong side of the street!!
Mosquitoes!!!!
RESPONSIBILITY!!!!


I can not do this on My Own, I need your help. This is a team effort. Specifically what do you want me to do within my Power as Mayor under the O.R.C., I need the help of Council because they hold the legislative power and authority to appropriate.

Important:
Identify Problems
Plan Solutions
Implement