Chillicothe Council passed eight pieces of legislation during Monday's online meeting.
Council members waived the three-read rule before approving those eight agenda items. One was a resolution to adopt Chillicothe's 2021 tax budget and to submit it to the county auditor.
"The tax budget is a forecast ... of next year's income and expenses, which is used by the county to apportion property taxes and local government fund shares," said City Auditor Kristal Spetnagel. "It's not the city's operating budget, ... but under Ohio law, the city must adopt a tax budget by July 15 or risk some of its funding from the local government funds."
Other items passed included: an ordinance appropriating $10,000 for HVAC repairs at the City Administration Building; an ordinance accepting a $1,000 donation by ODNR for the City's Fishing Derby; an ordinance accepting $25,000 in funds from the Atomic Credit Union for street improvements at the intersection of Limestone Boulevard and Western Avenue; an ordinance approving the creation of a special revenue fund to track the activity of Coronavirus Relief Funds; a resolution supporting Chillicothe's participation in the CARES Act; two ordinances to amend Ordinances 01-19 and 76-19 to reflect correct property addresses.
Agenda items that will move on to the next meeting included: an ordinance to amend the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe to include under-speed vehicles, such as golf carts; an ordinance approving a lot split and zoning boundary adjustment on Stoneridge Drive and Western Avenue; an ordinance approving a $50,000 contract with Burgess & Niple for professional services regarding preparation and implementation of an Ohio EPA required Asset Management Plan.
Chillicothe Council members also discussed the importance of taking a proactive measure against COVID-19 by encouraging the use of masks in public.
"I think the agreement with all of us is 'everybody, please wear your mask,'" said Council President Bruce Arnold. "Let's keep it safe for us; let's not escalate what's going on."