Jonathan Alder’s five-year forecast looks strong but growth in the district will likely result in more spending over the next few years as expenditures outpace revenue. This graph shows what happens if the .75% income tax, that is set to run out in 2026, doesn’t get renewed. The green line shows how sharp the drop off in the district’s fund balance would be. (Graph submitted) — With ongoing growth in the area, Jonathan Alder is predicting a need for more teachers in the next couple of years and that will mean an increase in spending on salaries and benefits. Treasurer…
Author: Michael Williamson
A traffic incident involving a Marysville Post Office vehicle earlier this month can serve as an unfortunate reminder to Union County drivers to be alert on the roadways this holiday season. At the beginning of November, a postal truck was rear-ended while delivering mail on Weaver Road. The incident happened on the afternoon of Nov. 2 and resulted in two people being injured and transported to Memorial Hospital. Though the post office wouldn’t comment on the driver’s condition or details of the incident, a spokesperson for the USPS said the crash “did not result in a tragedy.” USPS spokesperson Naddia…
Fairbanks officials said they are strongly considering going back on the ballot next year, but whatever decision is made, will have to come quickly. Board of education members met on Monday in a special session ahead of the regular board meeting next week to discuss where the district stands given the failure of one of the levies after the Nov. 7 election. While the .25% renewal tax passed, the new combination levy, asking for a .25% income tax and 1.85-mill property tax, was defeated. The new money would go to one portion of a two-part approach to expanding and renovating…
Richwood officials aren’t yet sure moving forward with the Opera House roof repair is a good idea. At the regular village meeting Monday night, council voted 3-3 whether to table or proceed with the project. Mayor Scott Jerew cast the tie-breaking vote to table the decision, effectively halting the project until officials can see more data. The roof repair is only a portion of the larger restoration project that, according to estimates, could cost upwards of $2-3 million. “I’m saying table, sorry. I’m the tiebreaker and I would like to know what the residents have to say,” Jerew said. The…
The caseload continues to increase for the public defender’s office and with that comes an increase in funds for contract services. At a recent meeting of the county commissioners, the board agreed to a 3% increase in the contract with the office. The increase would add about $17,000 to the existing agreement, bringing the total from $574,200 to just over $591,400. Matt Weller, president of the Public Defender Commission, said the group agrees with the defender’s office ask. He said the contract overall hasn’t changed much, it just reflects the increases in caseload. “We were in agreement with that recommendation…
Dean Otworth, project engineer for the Mill Creek logjam cleanup, outlines the creek’s watershed area and the waterway itself, represented on the map as the red, centerline. Union County officials held the first viewing of the project Wednesday, which affects some 60,000 acres of land across the county. (Journal-Tribune photo by Michael Williamson) — Union County officials spoke to residents during the first viewing of the Mill Creek logjam project Wednesday. Officials held three separate sessions to relay information about the large-scale cleanout project, which affects nearly 12,000 parcels across five townships. (Journal-Tribune photo…
Only one of two levies passed for the Fairbanks school district and that may mean a return to the drawing board for the district. Superintendent Adham Schirg said even with one measure getting voted down Tuesday, he is happy that the other still passed, which allows a portion of the district’s facilities updates to move forward. “The positive thing is, walking away, we can start work on phase two of the master facility plan,” he said. “Unfortunately, with the other not passing, that leaves us with about $23 million that we don’t have access to.” The two measures Fairbanks had…
One of Union County’s overpasses may be closed longer than originally anticipated. During the regular meeting of county department heads Tuesday morning, Engineer Jeff Stauch told officials that the Beecher-Gamble Road bridge over U.S. 33, northwest of New California, might be closed until next year. “That bridge was on ODOT’s list to replace the deck superstructure this coming season,” he said. “They made the decision there’s no way to beef up those beams currently, so they’re going to keep it closed and keep the traffic off the top of it, obviously.” A passing vehicle on U.S. 33 struck the bridge…
Steam rises from hot asphalt being put down on Elwood Avenue this morning. The nearly $2-million project includes asphalt resurfacing, concrete curb installation, concrete driveway approaches, concrete sidewalks, storm sewer improvements and street lighting upgrades. The work is scheduled to be completed this month. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens) —
Plain City Council members voted last week to grant its remaining federal COVID relief dollars to a group of local businesses and a nonprofit after the pair proposed a plan to work together to meet each other’s needs. “This is what I love about this town,” Council member Jim Eudaily said. “You two came together.” Council earlier decided to make its remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars – $30,000 – available as grant funding for local businesses and nonprofits. The village received two applications: one from a group including FMC Investments, LLC, The Grainery, Jason James and Pioneer Pizza;…
Citizens Against Richwood Solar, pictured here in green t-shirts, were among the visitors to North Union High School last week for a public solar meeting. The citizen-led solar opposition group was among the county residents at the school for two public information sessions dealing with the Samsung Richwood solar project. (Journal-Tribune photo by Michael Williamson) — While much of the first public information meeting on the Richwood solar project was more of the same, it was an opportunity for residents to talk with officials not typically present for other public meetings on solar. Residents, county officials and solar representatives gathered…
North Union graduate Blake Taylor’s horse, Blossom, will be featured on a stamp from the U.S. Postal Service next year. The pair are pictured in the photo above. Below, Blossom is pictured second from the right. (Photos submitted) — A Union County horse is getting a unique bit of national recognition this year. Blossom, a Gypsy Vanner breed of horses from CopperTop Clydesdales, a farm north of Marysville, will be featured by the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp program next year. Blake Taylor, a North Union graduate who also served as this year’s Richwood Independent Fair king, cares for…
Union County law enforcement officials are still investigating the apparent murder-suicide involving a husband and wife in Leesburg Township. According to the Union County Coroner’s Office, Forrest “Ed” Jenkins, 79, and his wife, Darlene, 76, were pronounced dead Thursday inside their home at 12780 Kaiser Road. According to reports, both individuals were found dead from gunshot wounds, with a gun lying in the bed with them. According to Union County Coroner David Applegate, the incident appears to be a murder-suicide. According to information from the Union County Sheriff’s Office at about 2:13 p.m., Thursday, the Union County Sheriff’s Office received…
Local officials are looking for feedback regarding the need for high-speed internet in certain parts of Union County. Bill Narducci, the county administrator, told the commissioners Wednesday that a group of local officials is looking into ways to reach out to residents, including a survey that would eventually be sent to the community. “One of the ideas that they had is putting together a community survey to get out to, primarily, the western part of the county and the northern part of the county to get some feedback from property owners on their experience with high-speed internet. Or the lack…
Union County residents who showed up for the commissioners’ vote to restrict solar projects last week were surprised to find out it is postponed. The commissioners voted to table the decision at the regular meeting on Wednesday after finding out earlier that not all notifications were sent out to the necessary parties in time. Some residents expressed frustration at the delay. Resident Shelley Beeney said the communication from the county could’ve been faster and clearer. “My township didn’t know. None of them,” she said. “That communication process and the lead time is pretty important.” Other residents agreed, saying the delay…