Block Party SATURDAY August 15

The local Nieghborhood Watch and CIC are sponsoring a Block Party st Ruth Cramton Park.
Bring your family around 6PM. There will be Games, Food and Live Music.
6:30 Games for Kids and Cornhole Tournament for Adults
7:00 Dessert Auction
7:30 Karate Demonstration Sponsored by Jeff Jones and his Students
Live Music Throughout the Evening
6:30pm Sons of Sophistication
8:30pm Streetwise
Music Sponsored by Dr. Paul Schreibman
Food Provided by Vilvens and Son Excavating
Free Popcorn

Bring a Lawn Chair and Enjoy

Local Government Fund May Be Reduced

It seems the Local Government Fund may decrease the amount to Townships and Counties. Every community will be impacted by this.This is important to know because it will have an indirect impact on Village finances and a direct impact on services from other local governments. The Dept of Taxation has also taken another look at potential revenues.
Below I have pasted a Legislative Alert from OTA. Below that is the actual letter from the Department of Taxation.





Last month I sent a legislative alert that spoke to reductions in the Local Government Fund due to the lack of revenue in the State's general revenue fund. In that alert I mentioned that the Department of Taxation was revising their estimates for 2009 and 2010 based on new state revenue numbers.

The Department of Taxation has released that information and has posted it to their website. The 2010 estimates have been sent to each county auditor. To view the LGF explanatory document, visit http://tax.ohio.gov/channels/other/services_for_local_govts.stm and look under "Other Distributions." To view the 2010 estimates, please visit http://tax.ohio.gov/channels/government/OhioDepartmentofTaxation.stm
Sincerely,

Heidi M. Fought
Director of Governmental Affairs
Ohio Township Association
6500 Taylor Road, Suite A
Blacklick, OH 43004
(614) 863-0045
(614) 863-9751 Fax





Tax Analysis Division
P.O. Box 530
Columbus, Ohio 43216-0530
614-466-3960
tax.ohio.gov
2
2. Calendar year 2010 PLF distribution estimates
Each July, ODT is required to provide each county auditor an estimate of the amount to be distributed
to such county’s undivided public library fund during the next calendar year.1
ODT estimates that CY 2010 distributions from the state PLF will amount to $336.2 million. This
represents a decline of $33.5 million, or 9.1 percent, from the estimated CY 2009 distribution levels.
The amounts are summarized below (shown in millions of $). Note that each county’s distribution is
projected to decline by 9.1 percent in 2010 relative to 2009.
The year-over-year decline in overall PLF distributions is mostly attributable to the reduction in the
PLF funding percentage (from 2.22 percent to 1.97 percent), which affects all 12 months of
distributions during CY 2010 but only affects a portion of CY 2009 (i.e., the last five months of that
year). Another, less significant factor explaining the expected decline is that CY 2010 revenues are
predicted to be slightly below CY 2009 revenues.
July 2009 Revised (July 2009)
Estimate of Total Estimate of Total $ change: % change:
Calendar Year 2010 Calendar Year 2009 Est CY 2010 less Est CY 2010 less
PLF Distributions PLF Distributions est CY 2009 est CY 2009
$336.2 $369.8 -$33.5 -9.1%
3. Calendar year 2009 and 2010 LGF distribution estimates
Because of updated revenue projections, ODT has revised its CY 2009 estimates of the distributions
from the state LGF to the 88 county undivided local government funds. These estimates are slightly
under the CY 2009 estimates issued in June 2009. See below for a summary of the revised CY 2009
and actual CY 2008 distribution amounts (in millions).
Revised (July 2009)
Estimates of Total Total Actual
Calendar Year 2009 Calendar Year 2008 $ change: % change:
Distributions to Distributions to Est CY 2010 less Est CY 2010 less
88 County LGFs 88 County LGFs est CY 2009 est CY 2009
From state LGF $589.1 $687.8 -$98.7 -14.4%
Dealers in
Intangibles 12.6 11.9 0.7 5.9%
Total distribution $601.7 $699.7 -$98.0 -14.0%
ODT estimates that CY 2010 distributions to the county undivided local government funds will be
$577.9 million (excluding dealer in intangibles tax distributions). This represents a decline of $11.2
million, or 1.9 percent, from the estimated CY 2009 distribution levels. The amounts are summarized
below (in millions of $). The decline stems from the extectation of continued weak revenue
performance in the first few months of CY 2010.
July 2009 Revised (July 2009)
Estimates of Total Estimates of Total
Calendar Year 2010 Calendar Year 2009 $ change: % change:
Distributions to Distributions to Est CY 2010 less Est CY 2010 less
88 County LGFs 88 County LGFs est CY 2009 est CY 2009
From state LGF $577.9 $589.1 -$11.2 -1.9%
Dealers in
Intangibles 12.3 12.6 -0.3 -2.4%
Total distribution $590.2 $601.7 -$11.5 -1.9%
1 In addition, updated PLF distributions estimates are to be issued in December preceding the distribution year and in June
of the distribution year. Thus, ODT’s next set of distribution estimates for CY 2010 will be released in December 2009.

Emerald Ash Borer Update

Below is an update I received from ODNR. It is a press release about the spread of the devastating Emerald Ash Borer Please take precautions and follow the restrictions as you camp the rest of the summer or visit any or our area parks or campgrounds.



Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Five New Counties
Last modified 2009-07-30 11:52


Agriculture Department Adds Ashland, Richland, Summit, Greene and Morrow Counties to Quarantine

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (July 28, 2009) – Ohio’s Emerald Ash Borer quarantine was expanded today by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to include five new counties. Ashland, Richland, Summit, Greene, and Morrow counties were added to the quarantine, which helps slow the spread of the ash tree-killing insect by prohibiting the movement of all hardwood firewood and ash tree materials.

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials confirmed the positive identification of specimens collected in each of the counties. Ashland, Richland, and Summit county specimens were taken from the purple traps placed across Ohio by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Greene County specimen was retrieved by an Ohio State University Extension agent, and the Morrow County specimen was obtained following a tip from a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee. These findings mark the first known infestations in each of these counties.

Since Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Ohio in 2003, the department has placed 50 counties under quarantine. The quarantine makes it illegal to transport ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood from any quarantined county into a non-quarantined county without a compliance agreement from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Ohio’s quarantine map is also available at the department’s Web site. Violators of this quarantine may face fines up to $4,000. Due to a federal quarantine, it is also illegal to take these items from the state of Ohio.

Firewood dealers, businesses, or woodlot owners interested in marketing and transporting ash trees or firewood from quarantined areas can do so only with a department-approved compliance agreement. These agreements stipulate handling practices that mitigate the artificial spread of Emerald Ash Borer.

Ash trees infested with Emerald Ash Borer typically die within five years. The pest belongs to a group of metallic wood-boring beetles. Adults are dark green, one-half inch in length, one-eighth inch wide, and fly from early May until September. Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees and leave D-shaped holes in the bark about one-eighth inch wide when they emerge as adults.

For information on the Emerald Ash Borer, compliance agreements, firewood restrictions, purple traps, and quarantine updates, call 1-888-OHIO-EAB.

Swimming Pools Should have Fence for Safety

Public Hearings:
July 29, 2009 10 o’clock AM, Highland County Commissioners Office, Application for Annexation of Certain Properties on Sharpsville Rd

Sept. 5th, Public Hearing on Certifying Payment of Wastewater Capital Debt by Guaranteed Manner or Assessment, Phase I 11AM, Phase II 12 Noon.

Street Maintenance and Improvement Action Plan Ready to Be Implemented

Sewerage:
Council and myself are working diligently to meet the criteria for funding of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase II. There have been several meetings, and phone conversations over the last month to fast track the construction. The project is being bid immediately, and is expected to be under construction by late Fall.
Mark Suiter, Assistant Wastewater Superintendent, has recently been accredited with a certification for Class I Water and Class II Wastewater. These licenses, along with his experience and credentials make him a valuable asset to the Village of Lynchburg utility operations. These certifications are required by the EPA, to continue operating our utilities in compliance with the law and in a safe manner for public health. I want to congratulate him on his hard work over the last year, and an excellent job. I believe he will do an excellent job as our new Superintendent at the end of the 2009.

Street Update
Road and storm drain repairs have been moving forward around the entire town. It is expected, that there will be two small streets paved by the end of the Summer. At this point, the preparation has begun to repair the burm/edge and drainage around the areas to be paved so that the improvement will stand the test of time, and cost less to maintain. There is a draft of the first ever, Street Maintenance Program. This document provides us with the information if Street widths, lengths and conditions. Right of Way access and other needed information to assist in providing for street upgrades and paving in the years to come. This action plan will still start this year with two paving jobs mentioned previously.

Swimming Pools
There have been many questions regarding pool installations. Swimming Pools are regulated within Ordinance 2006-8, known as Subdivision Regulations, Section 162.045 A-B.
“(A) Al swimming pools within the Village shall now be completely surropunded by a fence of not less than four feet in height entirely constructed upon the owner’s property sufficient to restrain infants and toddlers from gaining access to the swimming pool.”
“(B) This section shall not apply to a container which is designed or used for wading which will not permit the filling with water to a depth of 2-1/2 feet and which may be dismantled, stored, or moved to one place or another without the use of tools other than what is normally found in a household workshop. Penalty, see 162.999”

In my opinion, clarity could be better within the Section, and is open to interpretation. The interpretation and advice of the Lynchburg Solicitor Fred Beery, is what I must take into consideration though. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding or question. It is important to comply for the safety of the community.

Finances
After paying the first half of 2009’s long term debt, and after all monthly bills are paid. The Village of Lynchburg is current and in the Black. In the months to come it will be very tight, however the current fiscal care and responsibility has brought the finances to a much better standing. There is quite a way to go, but it is on a positive course and turned around 180 degrees.

Lynchburg Finances Looking Better

I'am happy to report that the Lynchburg Village Government is up to date on paying it's long term and short term debt. At the first of the month the first half of the years long term debt payment, for capital improvements on past water and sewer projects was payed totaling more than $80,000. After all operations and monthly invoices were payed, the fund balances were still in the black. They were very close, and money is still very tight, however it is looking like things are getting better. On the current course, I sincerely believe that monthly utility invoices on the local wastewater, sewer, should decrease drastically in the next 5 years.

The Council and myself discussed the EPA,s request to guarantee the upcoming long term debt for the phase one and two of the current capital improvements at the wastewater treatment facility. The Council did decide to start a process to assess certain properties affected by the upgrades. Many scenarios were looked at, for instances, not doing anything, adding the amount to the current monthly utilities invoice, pay off the debt,add an income tax, assessment to certain properties.

Burgess and Niple was chosen as the Engineering firm for phase two of the sewer plant project. This project is being fast tracked, due to the fact that Lynchburg will be receiving stimulus and other grant monies

The project plans for phase one and two are at the Municipal Building, along with the contracts, for anyone's review.

The Council passed the first comprehensive plan in the history of Lynchburg. This plan has been more than a year in the making. It is also available for review.

Right Runner: Only In Wilmington

Right Runner: Only In Wilmington

First Comprehensive Plan

The Village of Lynchburg has finished the first Comprehensive Plan in its history.
This Comprehensive plan explains the geographical location, history and statistics. In addition, it outlines the various Village services and will act as a guideline for future growth, and upgrades for the area infrastructure. The plan will assist with governing the Village in the future and meet requirements for certain funding opportunities.
I thank the Planning committee, and Chris Shock with Clinton County Regional PLanning for there assistance over the last year and, a special thank you to David Alpern, who organized, researched, and arranged the Comprehensive Plan.