7/18/2012 - South Side Leader
     

COVENTRY — As a result of the property tax revaluations last year, Coventry will be collecting less property tax revenues, resulting in a significant loss to the township.

Fiscal Officer Joni Murgatroyd shared this information with the Board of Trustees at the July 12 meeting.

“Therefore, although we are putting the fire/EMS [emergency medical services] levy on the ballot as a renewal in this year’s General Election, it will actually be yielding $47,618 less than last year,” she explained.

The board officially approved placing the 2.25-mill, fire/EMS levy renewal on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot during the meeting and agreed it is crucial for voters to support the levy for the continuation of existing fire and EMS.

Murgatroyd said the levy is projected to provide $512,807 annually, if renewed, and there would be no new taxes collected.

However, she added the township received $560,425 last year for the same levy, which is in its last collection year.

The five-year shortfall for this levy would be approximately $236,088 during the next five years, Murgatroyd said.

“We need more, but times are tough,” said Board Chairman Tom Seese. “This will still keep our ambulances and fire trucks going and provide for training.”

Murgatroyd said the township is losing significant amounts of money on all of their levies due to the hefty decrease in property values and she would share more financial statistics at next month’s meeting.

She said people often inquire regarding the township’s share of property taxes compared to other entities collecting property taxes.

Currently, the effective tax rate for residents of the township and Coventry Local Schools District is 18.38 percent for the township, 17.89 percent for the county, 2.98 percent for the Portage Lakes Branch Library, 58.69 percent for the school district and 2.07 percent for Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, she said.

Also during the meeting, the board discussed putting a new policy in place concerning lawn mowing at nuisance properties.

Zoning Inspector George Beckham explained he currently mows the nuisance lawns once a summer.

Trustee Gary Zoldesy said he would like to see it done more often than that, however. A recent call from a concerned resident drew his attention to the issue, he explained.

“I want to establish criteria to help residents and their quality of life,” he said.

Trustee David Calderone agreed once a summer may not be enough and suggested the township have the grass cut at a property each time it reaches 8 inches or higher.

Seese said he was concerned the amount needed to pay for the lawn cuttings would be more than the township budgeted for this year.

Beckham said $5,000 was budgeted for lawn mowing at nuisance properties this year and $2,100 had been spent to date.

The board agreed to table the issue for further discussion next month, but to allow Beckham to have lawns mowed at his discretion.

Additionally, the board agreed to clean up a common area for the residents of Portage Point Boulevard. Several residents were present at the meeting, requesting the township help remove vacated vehicles from the land.

Also during the meeting, the board:

• discussed replacing the roof of the Administration, Coventry Fire Department building and at the Coventry Senior Citizens Center. The board agreed it would be beneficial to hire a project manager to assist with collecting bids and overseeing the projects and to discuss the matter in more depth next month;

• heard a presentation by the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development concerning the county’s land bank creation and the Moving Ohio Forward Demolition Grant Program;

• approved an application for the 2012 Firefighter Assistant Grant Program for the possible purchase of boats, dry suits, rescue cutters and other supplies for the fire department;

• announced Summit County Probate Judge Todd McKenney will hold a meeting July 25 at 6 p.m. at Coventry High School regarding deed revisions. Those who received a letter regarding their current deed are asked to attend the meeting, Calderone said; and

• agreed to hold a workshop soon regarding negotiations with the fire department union, specifically regarding health care insurance.

The next regular Coventry Township Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, located at 68 Portage Lakes Drive.

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