Village Administrator / Public Safety Director Report
By: JW Fairman
March 8, 2016
Crime:
- For the 1st two months of 2016, UCR Reported Crime has dropped 54% over the same period in 2015
Vacant
Housing:
- The Village’s master vacant list (as of March 4th) shows 425 vacant homes:
- Vacant 354 houses
- Vacant/Occupied 52 houses
- Demo list 19 houses
- The Village’s master vacant list has been reduced by 18 since my last report to the Board.
- Each reduction (if maintained) will show an approximate annual income (water, sewer and utility tax) of $750.
- The above mentioned “18” represent an additional annual income of $13,500.
Scavenger
Contract Update:
- Staff will meet with the Village’s scavenger service on March 10th to determine the number of collection points, adjust past billing as it relates to vacancies and work out other collection related matters. The current billing rate is $33.50 bi-monthly.
Water Accounts Owing
More than $400
- Water accounts owing more than $400 to $999 and over $1000 are being updated.
- Terminated Water accounts sent for Lien: 30
NOTE 1: Residents or Owners of property who
turn on water (at the B-box) after
Public Works have shut it off will be subject to arrest for a misdemeanor
“Theft of Services”.
NOTE 2: It should be noted that more than
75% of the Village’s occupied
residential homes pay their water/sewer/utility bills on time and without
complaint. Less than of 10% of
the remaining 25% have a valid
reason as to why their payments are in arrears. Those individuals are given
consideration by staff.
Recommendations/Ordinance
Amendments:
(Looking for Board Sponsors)
- THAT: “After Hours water Turn on Fee” be increased to $250, “Before Hours Turn on Fee” be increased to $200. These figures are consistent with most municipal fees of this type (most turn on fees are paid by rehabbers or individuals that were identified in the 15% of arrear accounts that had no valid reason for non-payment).
- THAT: the Board approves a Staff request of $14,000 to update the “Civic” Water/Sewer/Utility tax computer system. Updating this system will give employees greater ease at identifying and dealing with arrearages in a timely manner - which will in due course pay for the upgrade.
Miscellaneous:
- Staff continues to work with the Owens Group to update the employees’ handbook.
- We are looking to see if any staff members are in arrears and if so will have them bring their accounts up to date.
Budget:
Staff are in the final stage of
reviewing the annual budget with the mayor.