VW Council OKs healthcare measures

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council approved year-end health insurance legislation for city employees, asked for preparation of legislation authorizing a ballot issue related to a proposed aquatic center, discussed whether to have a city performance audit conducted and revisited an ongoing discussion on nuisance buildings during its last meeting of the year.

Council members unanimously approved three measures related the city’s health insurance coverage, including a resolution authorizing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and one setting health coverage rates and amount city employees must contribute for health insurance.

City Auditor Martha Balyeat talked briefly about the city’s health insurance coverage and rates for the coming year, noting that shopping around for coverage allowed the city to lower its rates from a possible 13 percent increase down to 6 percent.

Council also unanimously voted to have legislation prepared to place a 1.2-mill, 25-year levy issue for a city aquatic center on the May primary election ballot. The measure was also read for the first of three times at Wednesday’s meeting.

Council members Jeff Agler noted that it was imperative to get as much information out to the public on the aquatic park proposal so that voters could be adequately informed about the ballot issue prior to the May election.

Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Stuart Jewett, head of the committee that has dealt with the issue, said that was a good idea. “I absolutely agree that the public needs to have all the facts,” he said of the aquatic parks ballot issue.

During a Finance Committee meeting held prior to its regular meeting, City Council members also discussed the merits of a performance audit of the city. Proponents of the issue, which include the auditor and Joi Mergy, Finance Committee chair, talked about how conducting a performance audit could improve the city’s three E’s: efficiency, economy and effectiveness.

Balyeat noted that performance audits in other communities have resulted in significant cost savings for those cities, while improving efficiency in the way they do things.

Mergy addressed what she called “a sense of complacency” among city officials, noting that Van Wert needs to look at how to improve the city’s performance levels.

Jeff Agler addressed the costs involved in a performance audit, noting that he didn’t think it wise to spend $50,000 of city money just to come up with “obvious” measures that city officials already know about or, even worse, have rejected in the past as not being a good fit for Van Wert.

Mayor Don Farmer said his administration would expect to be involved in any performance audit process.

Council decided that, with cost estimates on the audit taking anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, city officials should contact finance directors of Ohio communities where performance audits have been completed to see how they worked out for those cities. A further discussion of the matter will be discussed prior to any action being taken.

Council members also continued a discussion of the growing problem of nuisance buildings during a Health Service Safety Committee meeting held prior to the regular Council meeting. Committee Chair John Marshall said the discussion centered on identifying nuisance buildings early in the process and legislation allowing the city to deal with the buildings before the cost to do so spirals out of control.

Law Director John Hatcher is also working to come up with a better legal definition of “nuisance” to improve the effectiveness of legislation dealing with dilapidated buildings.

During his report, Mayor Farmer had good news related to the Jobs Ready Site on the northern edge of the city, noting that bids have been received on the rail spur project at the site and should be finalized by January 6 or 7. The mayor said the project’s cost should come in well under financial estimates.

The mayor also noted that water levels in the south reservoir are at maximum, while the north reservoir water levels are down approximately 4 feet. He also addressed a “turbidity” problem with city water, noting that, while the water is not as clear as it should be, it is safe to drink.

Council also passed legislation raising speed limits to 35 mph on a portion of Bonnewitz Avenue and Leeson Avenue.