Shelby council approves Lloyd Rebar agreement; leaders receives finance, audit info
Multiple topics reached Shelby City Council on Jan. 3 as the 2023 legislative calendar got underway in the community. Councilman Garland Gates (left,) and Mayor Steve Schag (right) are shown in a file photo.
The new year is getting off to a fast start at Shelby City Council.
The session was highlighted by legislation involving a business expansion, the review of a newly completed state audit of municipal finances, the latest Shelby income tax report and Mayor Steve Schag’s announcement that he is seeking another term.
The developments unfolded at the Jan. 3 council meeting when condolences also were expressed about the passing of longtime Shelby Daily Globe sports editor Chuck Ridenour on Dec. 23 at age 61.
Councilman Garland Gates noted that Ridenour had served as sports editor for more than 40 years.
“He did an outstanding job in that position. There was never any doubt what was happening with the Shelby Whippet sports during his tenure,” Gates said at the Jan. 3 council meeting.
“I’m sure that everyone here, council and City Hall extends their sympathies to his family and have best wishes for his successor whoever he or she may be,” Gates added.
Mayor Schag said, “Thank you so much for expressing our thoughts.”
Earlier in the meeting, council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 1-2023, authorizing the city of Shelby to enter into an agreement with Lloyd Rebar Company LLC and Shelby Iron Works Properties LLC for a new light manufacturing and warehousing addition pursuant to Chapter 5709 of the Ohio Revised
Code, enterprise zones, and declaring an emergency.
In other unrelated economic news, city Finance Director Brian Crum reported the latest municipal tax revenue information.
“We did in fact break $6 million for 2022, he said of the income tax collections. “We brought in $6,007,835.94 in tax revenue last year, which is the first time we’ve ever even come close to that.”
In further remarks to council, Crum confirmed the $6 million figure that Councilman Gates had previewed weeks earlier as a possibility.
“Some of our businesses had very good years, which helped a lot,” Crum said. “But I do need to hand it to all of our current and former tax clerks who served with those roles this year as well as the court system and law director to really work hard to get folks caught up with back taxes and such.”
“I don’t know the exact dollar amount that that brought in, but it was a pretty good chunk of change,” Crum continued. “That’s why you’ve seen the last couple of years of increases is the activities of those folks. Thanks to all of them for their efforts.”
In another matter, city officials reviewed the newly completed state audit of Shelby municipal finances.
Most of the discussions focused on the accounting practices involving the Shelby Municipal Court.
Councilman Gates read extensive passages from the 109-page report and highlighted issues