McDonald

WHAT: Village council meeting Thursday.

PRESENT: Sean Schmidt, John Metzinger, Kyle Joynes, Chad Jones, Don Smith and Mayor Ray Lewis.

ABSENT: Kerry Reckard.

Council:

•Announced the State of the Village forum will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at McDonald High School.

•Approved entering into an agreement with Sourcewell, a national joint cooperative purchasing consortium, to seek a street sweeper. Sourcewell was previously known as the National Joint Powers Alliance.

•Heard from Lewis there are no solicitor’s permits approved by the village so residents are advised if someone solicits at their residence.

•Heard from Lewis the village is cracking down on delinquent taxpayers, which stands at 600 residences, which will be brought to mayor’s court.

•Heard from Fire Chief Ed Marcum the department already has responded to 86 calls as of Feb. 20 this year, compared to 42 in 2024. He said calls have been medical emergencies, fires and mutual aid.

•Heard from Village Administrator Tom Domitrovich a new recycling container for cardboard has been added to the recycling site for residents and businesses.

•Announced that NOPEC electric rates are at 6.5 cents per kwh through May with a new rate of 7.5 cents per kwh for 12 months or 8 cents per kwh for 24 months, both effective in June. Officials indicated all electric rates, regardless of supplier, are expected to increase in June.

•Approved updates to the police and fire prevention codes such as police eliminating items on jail since the village does not have a jail. Schmidt said the updates are to bring the two departments’ codes up to 2025 standards.

•Received a $4,228 NOPEC grant that can be used for anything electric-related such as lights and signs.

•Approved rezoning property at 305 W. Marshall Road from residential to commercial.

• Bob Coupland