GRATIS — Gratis Village Council met Thursday, April 27, and discussed the March 2023 utility report, water rates, along with regular business.
According to the village’s March 2023 utility report three residents were charged a $50 dollar turn off/on fee, and two residents were charged for high water meter reading, in the amounts of $204.33 and $248.50.
In addition, one resident was overcharged $534.93 for water that was turned off, with a supplemental water credit of the same amount being given. One resident was charged $86.49 to their account, which was later removed due to a discrepancy.
Additionally, Mayor Frank David was issued deductions in the amount of $8.92 in accordance with ORD 202201. Council member Kathy Lewis was issued a leak credit in the amount of $756.46.
Concerning water rates in the village, David remarked that Gratis is among the lowest in the county. Whereas David expressed his reluctance to increase water rates, he did note, “Things are going up so fast, that if we don’t change the rates just a little bit, it’s going to catch us. Then we’ll have to put in a big increase.”
According to council, the village gives nearly 30 water turn-off notices a month, with the majority of those affected paying their bills shortly after receiving the notice.
“Pay it on time. But we thank you for the late payment,” said council member Shelley Dougherty.
In other business:
• Council approved Resolution 2023-16, a resolution adopting a new credit card policy under Ohio House Bill (HB) 312, which is defined on the Ohio Legislature website as an amendment to “regulate the use of credit cards and debit cards by political subdivisions, to modify the duties and powers of the Auditor of State, to specify that electronic submission of a public record request entitles the requestor to damages if the public office fails to comply with the Public Records Act, to make changes to the law governing financial planning and supervision commissions, and to authorize a property tax abatement for certain property subject to a submerged land lease and held by a municipal corporation.”
• Council discussed the issuing of public records requests, noting individuals requesting such records must go directly to the village office so those seeking records can be recorded with the proper paperwork.
• Council reviewed quotes from Belson Outdoors for two backless benches for the bicentennial park in the amount of $3,047.66, and $1,000 for pottery and flowers for the beautification of the village. Council approved the quote for pottery and flowers.
• Council approved the new hires of Cameron Bartlett, Jordan Flynn, and Spencer Yambrich as drivers for the Gratis EMS department, at a rate of $20 per run. All three individuals are currently employed with the Gratis Fire Department and will be driving for EMS additionally.
• Council approved the new hires of Andrew Shaefer and Megan Cromer for the Gratis Fire Department.
For more information on HB 316, visit www.legislature.ohio.gov.
Gratis Village Council meetings are open to the public and held the second and fourth Thursday of the month, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Village Administration Office located at 404 East Harrison Street, Gratis.
Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.
