Village Council March 2013 Meeting Information
Village Council Notes-The Put-in-Bay Village Council met twice in February, first for an informal workshop and two weeks later for its official monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 20th. Former Put-in-Bay mayor Judy Berry resigned her seat on Council in early February. Jake Market was appointed to fill her seat until next fall’s election. Jake’s grandfather, Bill Market, served on Council for many years.
Among the topics of discussion was a proposed lodging excise tax, better known as a bed tax. The second reading of the ordinance, and it is expected the third and final reading will be voted on at the March meeting of Council. If the tax passes, it would begin with the 2014 season. Revenue from the tax would go into the village’s general fund and could be used for many different items. Council learned the insurance premium for the village increased about 20% over last year. The increase was due in part to two lawsuits filed against the village in recent years.
The issue of accumulated sick days for village employees was discussed. Speaking of being sick, the council will be discussing health insurance for its employees at its March 4th meeting. Chief Ric Lampela reported CPR training is available here on the island. For information, contact the police department.
Council directed letters be sent out to liquor establishments which had the most noise complaints last season. The Put-in-Bay Police Department kept track of all police calls last summer, and several establishments had unusually high reports of too much noise. One establishment has nineteen complaints. Should the complaints continue in coming seasons, Council might choose to report such problems to the liquor department.
Among other things, police also kept track of fights in Put-in-Bay bars. Police were called to one bar which had eleven fights. No letters were sent out to bars about too many fights. Village Council learned it received about $690,000 in island resort tax last year. The amount was higher than normal because state tax officials have collected some back taxes, plus added new businesses to the tax rolls which were not paying before.
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