Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Coldwater school district in the black

By Betty Lawrence
COLDWATER - Coldwater schools ended fiscal year 2011-2012 over $600,000 in the black, treasurer Michelle Mawer reported at Tuesday's board of education meeting.
Total revenue was $12,971,731.27 while total expenditures were $12,355,752.07.
Mawer attributed the favorable budget to a higher than usual collection of property taxes and income taxes.
"We're also saving money on the insurance plan, and don't forget, we will be collecting money from the levy that was voted in last spring," she added.
In March, voters approved a 4.1-mill operating levy that will bring in $550,000 annually for five years beginning in 2013.
Board member Todd Bills noted he was pleased with the excess money.
"We thought we were falling off the cliff," he said.
The five-year financial forecast still shows a shortfall in fiscal year 2013 of nearly a half million dollars. The district is losing stimulus money and an additional $500,000 due to the state phasing out the tangible personal property tax.
In other action, board members,
• accepted donations from the athletic boosters of $4,345.50 for football headsets and $4,661.75 for a track and cross country timing system.
• heard annual reports from representatives of the academic promoters, parent teacher organization, athletic boosters and band boosters. The board lauded the work of the groups, and it was noted volunteers are always needed to help implement the programs.
• approved the Body Mass Index (BMI) screening program waiver for the upcoming school year.
• approved extended service days for the upcoming school year for 10 employees and three Tri Star instructors and approved $900 one-time payments to a number of non-certified employees who took the alternate PPO insurance for the new school year in lieu of furlough days.
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New Bremen
NEW BREMEN - A water usage advisory has been issued for New Bremen.
Village administrator Wayne York told council members Tuesday night that a record 550,000 gallons of water were used Monday, an increase of 25 to 33 percent over the July daily average of 403,000 gallons. [More]
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CELINA - City council members passed first reading of legislation that would expand an ordinance regarding abandoned and junk vehicles in the city.
Minster
MINSTER - All five shelter houses at Four Seasons Park sustained roof damage in a high-wind storm that swept through the area June 29.
Village administrator Don Harrod on Tuesday night told council members that dugouts also received damage. A loss figure has not been determined.
CELINA - City administrators are obliging a request by community religious leaders not to hold city sanctioned sporting activities at certain times.
Celina
CELINA - No objections were heard Tuesday at a public hearing to gather input on a proposed $100,000 loan to Romer Westlake Villas LLC to aid in the purchase of villas, a lodge and land near Grand Lake.
ST. MARYS - Great Clips hair salon has opened in St. Marys, offering basic hair care services without appointments.
The salon at 484 Fortman Drive
District 4 ACME Baseball Tournament
MINSTER - On a night when both starting pitchers struggled, the Wapakoneta Redskins were able to take advantage of their offensive chances while the Minster Wildcats struggled with theirs.
District 4 ACME Baseball Tournament
COLDWATER - Staked to a huge lead over two innings, Coldwater's Derek Thobe scattered three hits as the Cavaliers advanced to the Mercer-Van Wert bracket final of the District 4 ACME tournament with a 12-2 win over the Crestview Knights on Tuesday night at Veterans' Field.