​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, Toledo City Council is expected to give first reading to Ordinance 154-21 which would amend local preference requirements for evaluating bids for city contracts. Currently in the municipal code: 

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 32 individuals who recently completed 10 sessions of public service leadership training as part of the 2021 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy. These graduates join the more than 400 leaders to date that have completed this course, of whom more than 40 have gone on to serve as elected officials and on public sector boards and commissions. This year the Institute celebrates its 20th year preparing area leaders and continues as the longest running program of its kind in the state.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on two ordinances that would facilitate a new office for the Toledo Police Federal Credit Union on a portion of the former Clarion Hotel site at 2340 South Reynolds Road. Ordinance 137-21 would approve a 15-year, 100 percent Community Reinvestment Area property tax exemption for taxes that would otherwise be generated due to the increase in assessed valuation of property at the site. Ordinance 138-21 would approve sale of the property for $289,000. According to the city, the project would involve investment of $1,250,000 and the retention and creation of up to 14 jobs.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

An ordinance that would establish a new Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth Services and Educational Engagement is on the agenda for Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. The new department created by Ordinance 42-21 would have responsibility for the operation of city parks and recreational facilities currently under the Division of Parks, Recreation and Forestry within the Department of Public Service. The ordinance would also establish three divisions within the new department and direct them to develop various community programs, and appropriate an additional $2.5 million for services and operations. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has encouraged Council to delay a vote on this proposal to provide adequate time to determine the need for this proposal. 

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its rescheduled regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on three ordinances that would facilitate the sale and development of the former North Towne Square Mall site currently owned by the city. Ordinance 66-21 would amend an agreement that contains a purchase option with the original mall owners to allow the city to sell an 11.2 acre portion of the site and address the release of access easements that have been a barrier to development. Ordinance 67-21 would approve the sale of the 11.2 acre portion to Development 2002, which owns the adjacent property that houses Super Fitness, for $10 an acre. Ordinance 68-21 would establish a tax increment financing area for the remaining 58 acre portion of the site that would allow a future property owner to make service payments in lieu of property taxes to fund nearby roadway improvements.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​Ordinance 42-21 which would establish a new Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth Services and Educational Engagement is on the agenda for Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2. The new department would have responsibility for the operation of city parks and recreational facilities currently under the Division of Parks, Recreation and Forestry within the Department of Public Service. The ordinance would also establish three divisions within the new department and direct them to develop various community programs, and appropriate an additional $2.5 million for services under the new department. The ordinance is expected to receive first reading and be referred to committee for further discussion.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s proposed 2021 operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets are on the agenda for Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19. The operating budget under Ordinance 36-21 proposes expenditures of $283,118,577. It is balanced using a transfer of $11 million from the CIP fund and almost $23 million from general fund reserves. Income tax revenue is expected to generate $178.4 million. Separately, $17 million in new revenue for roads is expected from the additional 0.25 percent income tax approved last year. The CIP budget under Ordinance 37-21 proposes expenditures of $18.7 million for residential roads and $20.3 million for other capital projects in 2021. Amendments to the budget proposals are expected to be offered prior to a vote.

Lucas and Wood County businesses facing possible late payment of first-half property taxes as a result of COVID-19 or other hardship are encouraged to contact their county treasurer’s office to discuss options for avoiding penalty and interest. The payment deadline for first-half property taxes is January 31 for Lucas County property owners and February 12 for Wood County property owners.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on two ordinances that would facilitate FCA’s proposed construction of a 250,000 square foot vehicle customization facility near its Toledo Assembly Complex. Ordinance 8-21 would approve the sale of 40.67 acres of city-owned property that includes the former Textileather and MedCorp facility sites to FCA for $1.00. Ordinance 9-21 would establish a tax increment financing arrangement to fund improvements on the site with FCA making service payment into a fund for such purposes in lieu of property taxes for a period of 30 years. According to the city, the project would support production at the Toledo Assembly Complex and involve total investment of $23 million and creation of more than 300 jobs.

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, Toledo City Council will likely vote on Ordinance 496-20 which would approve adjustments within the 2020 approved budget. Changes would increase the estimate for general fund revenues by $20,043,238. Notable individual revenue adjustments include increases of $6.4 million from income tax collections and $16.8 million from excess Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation rebates, and a decrease of $4 million from the traffic photo enforcement program and court fines. Changes would also increase the estimate for general fund expenditures by $965,395. The ordinance would also make a number of other city fund adjustments.