Marysville East legislation to be tabled again. Jerome seeks fire levy bump. Goodwill expands into Big Lots space. And PUCO seeks public input on AES Ohio rate hike request
Give us a few moments and we'll serve up what matters for Friday, July 11, 2025
In this edition, sponsored by Winans Coffee and Chocolates:
Marysville East legislation to be tabled until the end of the month
Water and Light developer to revise plans after DRB feedback
Jerome to ask residents for a "renewal plus 1 mill" fire levy
Got thoughts on a proposed AES Ohio rate increase? Now's your chance…in Dayton.
Have brilliant thoughts on the redesign of East Fifth? Now's your chance…online.
Have you paid your 2nd half property taxes? Next week is the deadline.
But first, a word from our sponsor
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Marysville East zoning and annexation set to be tabled again
Marysville City Council is set to again table a proposed zoning and annexation package for 300 acres of land to be added to the Marysville East industrial park along Watkins Road.
Council asked representatives from the New Albany Company to meet with and address the concerns of neighboring residents who live outside of the City.
Council had tabled the proposed package until its July 14th meeting. But according to the agenda published for Monday's meeting, the public hearing is slated to be tabled once again until Council's July 28th meeting.
The timing allows for more discussion between developers and concerned residents and allows all members of Council to be present to vote on the proposal.
The City Board of Control is slated to consider an engineering bid for the Marysville East project on Monday morning.
Water and Light to revise plans per DRB feedback
The City Design Review Board tabled a proposed exterior and landscaping proposal for phase 1 of the Water & Light development proposed for land just north of the railroad tracks on North Main Street.
The plan calls for 128 multi-family units in the first phase. Yesterday, we reported 256 units, but that includes other phases of the project.
According to City Planning & Development Manager Ashley Gaver, the Design Review Board provided comments to the developer, which will come back with an updated plan for further review.
Jerome Township pursues "renewal + 1 mill" fire levy in November
Let the voters decide.
That was the conclusion drawn by Jerome Township trustees regarding an upcoming fire levy.
Jerome Township voters will face a renewal + 1 mill property tax levy on the November ballot. The trustees voted 2-1 on the proposed ballot issue at their July monthly meeting.
The trustees debated whether to ask for a straight renewal or to request additional funding from a voter base that has turned away 4 of the last 6 fire levies.
"Renewal with no increase is a band-aid on a volcano," said Fire Chief Doug Stewart.
Renewal of one of two current levies, at 5.8 mills, represents half the budget for the fire department, which serves the fastest-growing township in the county and one of the fastest in the region.
"I'd like to emphasize that the residents are deciding," Trustee Wezlynn Davis shared with me. "In the survey we put out, the comments that came back were very split from just a renewal to even a 2 mill increase," Trustee Wezlynn Davis shared with me.
As proposed, the levy request would increase property taxes for township residents $35 for every $100,000 of valuation per year.
Even with passage by voters, the funding needs of the Jerome Fire Department aren't keeping pace with growth.
"It's unfortunate that every five years our firefighters are in fear for their jobs because we have to live and die by these two levies," said Chief Stewart during the meeting.
The trustees are caught between a rock and a hard place.
They acknowledge the challenge of going to the voters for additional funds when local school districts may also be asking voters for more. Jonathan Alder plans to return to the ballot in November after a funding issue was rejected by the slimmest of margins. The district partially covers the Jerome Fire District.
If the renewal +1 mill proposal is rejected by voters in November, the township will have two more chances to address funding issues before one of two current levies expires at the end of 2026.
The Trustees have also deferred on a potential bond issue to build a third fire station in the southern part of the township. An effort to explore a potential private/public partnership to lessen the burden on taxpayers is being made.
Got thoughts on an electric rate increase by AES Ohio?
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) announced on Thursday that it has scheduled public hearings regarding AES Ohio’s application to increase electric distribution rates.
Marysville Matters reported on the rate filing back in November.
"The Application proposes a 14.2% increase for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh on the Company’s Standard Service Offer," according to the company's filing from last November.
The local public hearings will be held August 7, 2025, at 1 p.m. and August 14, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Dayton Municipal Building, 101 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio.
Those who testify will have their comments included in the case record.
An evidentiary hearing will also take place at the PUCO offices in Columbus on September 9, 2025, at 10 a.m.
According to an AES Ohio press release from November, when the rate request was filed:
The last time AES Ohio asked the PUCO to review its rates was in November 2020. Since that time, AES Ohio has made significant investments to benefit customers and communities. Over the past four years, AES Ohio has demonstrated its commitment to safety, reliability and resilience by investing in critical infrastructure upgrades that enhance the power delivery system. Additionally, these investments have driven economic development, fueling growth in West Central Ohio.
“Investments in long-term reliability are vital as we face increased storm severity, rising service demands, and the need to support economic growth in our region,” said Tom Raga, President of AES Ohio. “At the same time, we are focused on creating a more modern and seamless customer experience for the people and businesses we serve.”
City wants your comments on the East Fifth Street plan
Would you prefer the city to narrow the width of East Fifth Street? What about a tree-lined median down the middle instead?
How about a traffic signal and turn lanes at Chestnut Street?
Well, don't comment on the Facebook post about this story.
Instead, you have about two-and-a-half weeks to provide your own comments on alternatives the city is considering for the East Fifth Street corridor from Walnut to Poplar.
The City is planning to redesign the street for traffic and pedestrian safety and to add greenery to the old-town thoroughfare.
By clicking on this link, you can review the alternatives under consideration and submit your comments to the designers.
The City plans to begin the actual final changes in Spring of 2026. The cost of the project is estimated at $2.4 million.
The City already hosted an open house to gather feedback. And now it is collecting comments online through the end of the month.
Update on Darby Township Levy Meeting
On July 16, Darby Township residents are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to proceed to provide public safety in conjunction with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
A levy that funds the Sheriff's Office's public safety officer contract is set to expire in 2026
A meeting is then scheduled for the next evening, July 17, for potential action.
Yesterday, I reported incorrectly the levy had already expired and apologize for the error.
Treasurer reminds residents 2nd half property taxes are due
Union County Treasurer Andrew Smarra is reminding property owners that 2nd half real estate taxes are due on July 16.
Bills were mailed out by Smarra's office in mid-June.
"More than half of properties in Union County have a mortgage on it and escrow, so we get more than half of our money directly from mortgage companies," he recently told the Commissioners’ monthly staff meeting.
And his office reminds property owners that failure to receive a bill does not exempt owners from payment or penalties if they are late.
If you have questions, you can contact the County Treasurer's office at 937-645-3035.
Goodwill expands Marysville footprint to former Big Lots storefront
Goodwill is expanding its retail presence in Marysville.
The thrift store announced Thursday that it is moving its Goodwill Retail Store into the former Big Lots location, next door to its current store.
And it plans to open a Goodwill Bookstore and Donation Drive Thru where the current store is located.
"We’re thrilled to expand our services in Marysville with a new bookstore and upgraded retail location,” said Michelle Roberts, President & CEO of Marion Goodwill, in a press release issued on Thursday. “This move is about more than retail—it’s about job creation, expansion of community services, and sustainability."
The Marysville Goodwill store is operated by Marion Goodwill Industries, which services Marion, Delaware, Union, Crawford, and Morrow Counties.
The non-profit's mission is Building Lives that Work. Through retail operations and community programs, Goodwill empowers individuals through job training, employment opportunities, and support services.
The new stores are set to open in time for Ohio's tax-free shopping holiday in August.
Kickin' Country Concert uptown tonight
Weather is forecast to be favorable for the City of Marysville's Friday Nights Uptown event this evening at Partners Park.
The Kicking Country concert kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m.
Live music will be provided by Chase Wright and Tucker Munz, brought to you by R. 4 Live.
It will include food and beverage vendors, bounce houses, face painting, games, the splash pad, and other exhibitors.
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A big thank you to our sponsor today, Winans Coffee and Chocolates on Emmaus Road!
Have a great Friday!
-Joe C.
Traffic in Marysville is at gridlock now. What will it be with all the new developments? The traffic engineer and council have no clue. Narrowing 5th street is a stupid idea.