Executive’s proposal lessens Agricultural Society
debt
By Kathleen Folkerth
DOWNTOWN AKRON — A proposal for the Summit County Agricultural Society to work with The Ohio State University Extension in exchange for a reduction in its debt to the county was introduced during Summit County Council’s Nov. 27 meeting.
Proposed by Summit County Executive
James McCarthy, the resolution authorizes the negotiation
of a five-year operating agreement with the Agricultural
Society to replace the current agreement, which was
agreed to in 1993 when a new arena was constructed at
the Summit County Fairgrounds. After the first five
years, the agreement could
be renewed for another five years.
Upon completion of the agreement
each year, the county would forgive $100,000 of the
Agricultural Society’s debt to the county, which
now totals nearly $1 million.
The proposal with the extension
service, featuring four phases of action, would include
a review of the Summit County Fair Board financial statements
and business practices and creation of a “long-term
Management Action Plan.”
There was no discussion about
the proposal, which will be on the agenda for next week’s
Planning, Buildings and Economic Development Committee
meeting, but there was discussion on another piece of
legislation regarding the Agricultural Society. Sponsored
by Councilman Tim Crawford (D-District 7), that resolution
would forgive all debt owed to the county by the society.
The legislation had been on second
reading only, but Crawford made a motion to bring it
up for a vote.
“I would like to see this
move forward,” said Crawford, who was concerned
the legislation would not get the support he said it
needs in the few meetings left in the year.
But other members of Council
said they were pleased to see the executive’s
office was moving toward a compromise with the Agricultural
Society.
“We have seen some progress
here,” said Councilman Tom Teodosio (D-District
2). “It’s better that we explore every option.
I am in agreement that we get the issue resolved before
the end of the year.”
Council President Clair Dickinson
(D-at large) agreed.
“I recognize the frustration
of the administration as it has been unsuccessful in
collecting any of this debt,” he said. “I
am encouraged that there is something to discuss next
Monday.”
A vote on whether to suspend
Council’s rules and bring Crawford’s legislation
to a vote lost by a vote of 6-5. Eight votes are needed
to suspend the rules. The legislation was left on second
reading.
In other business, Council unanimously
approved legislation that earmarks $4 million for use
by the Summit County Children Services Board (CSB) to
alleviate the need for layoffs, despite the fact that
CSB didn’t ask for the loan.
Councilman Pete Crossland (D-District
4) said the loan was to be on the board’s agenda
for its Nov. 28 meeting.
Crossland was one of three Council
members to attend the CSB meeting, along with Louise
Heydorn (R-District 3) and Paula Prentice (D-District
8). Crossland said the loan was discussed
in the CSB’s Resources Committee, but no action
was taken to officially reject the loan.
“We had a discussion, and
it is kind of apparent they are dedicated to these cuts,”
Crossland said. “They keep insisting they can
run a first-class agency [despite the cuts].”
At press time, CSB representatives
did not return a call to comment.
In October, the Children Services
Board of Trustees announced that 52 positions would
be eliminated to cut costs as it prepares to get a levy
on the ballot in 2007. County Council members were against
the plan, saying it would destroy public trust in the
agency as well as compromise services.
Also during the meeting, legislation
sponsored by McCarthy that asks Council to find an appropriate
piece of land for a new animal control shelter was introduced
and quickly tabled by Council.
“This doesn’t warrant
study or work on the behalf of Council,” said
Councilman Paul Gallagher (D-at large).
According to the legislation,
McCarthy made the request because earlier this year
Council rejected an offer of property in Goodyear Heights
Metro Park at the cost of $1 for a 50-year lease. The
current legislation asks Council to recommend another
parcel of land “which will not result in any additional
costs to the taxpayers of the county.”
Council voted unanimously to
table the legislation for four months.
Also during the meeting, Council
adopted on first reading an ordinance accepting and
approving the plat for Estates of Bath, a new subdivision
in Bath that will feature 89 lots on 95 acres, according
to Gallagher.
Following Council’s meeting,
the Public Works Committee held a public hearing regarding
a sewer system rate and efficiency study on behalf of
the county’s Department of Environmental Services.
Consultants from Red Oak Consulting,
who completed the study, suggested the county implement
a five-year rate plan increase to help fund improvements
to the system estimated to cost $46 million.
The committee is currently considering
legislation adopting new fees for the Summit County
Metropolitan Sewer District. The district, according
to David Marquard, director of environmental services,
serves portions of Bath, Copley and Norton.
Council is scheduled to meet
for committee meetings Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. in Council
Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building,
175 S. Main St.
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