The West Liberty Village Council met for the final time in 2024 and worked through a heavy agenda.
In his report to the council, Street Superintendent Bill Detrick updated the council members about the city-wide recycling program. On the 16th of this month, the village picked up 1,360 pounds of cardboard from 168 residents. Earlier today, the village picked up 2,000 pounds of glass and plastic from 209 village residents. Detrick recommended to the council that the village pick up recycling on Thursdays so the village would be on the same schedule as the recycling agency.
After discussion, the council agreed to move the pick-up day to Thursday effective January 1, 2025. Village residents would be notified of the change by multiple methods.
Police Chief Shane Oelker told the council that one of the village’s police cruisers is out of service. The vehicle, a 2016 Ford Explorer, is the oldest in the fleet and needs to have a new fuel pump installed, along with a timing belt and gaskets. The estimate to make the repairs is $3,500. Chief Oelker reminded council members that a new vehicle is on order, but will not be ready for the road until May of 2025 at the earliest. The council voted to authorize the expenditure.
Village Clerk Cindee Boyd told the council that she received a letter from Logan County Auditor Jack Reser concerning the village’s .80 mil levy that is due to expire at the end of the 2024 tax year. Boyd explained to the council that the 5-year levy will need to be on the May 2025 ballot. The council, however, could choose to make the levy permanent. Doing so would require two separate meetings, including a session for public input. Boyd talks about the levy:
After much discussion, the council voted to keep the levy on a replacement cycle, and it will appear on the May 2025 ballot for voters to consider.
Boyd also asked the council to approve appropriating $9,000 from the Police Department’s Medical Insurance fund to the Police Department’s Salary fund to cover salaries until the end of the year.
The council’s next meeting will be on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7:00
