By Brian Dicken, Vice President of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives

May is Military Appreciation Month and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the many contributions of our service members and veterans to our community. You may have seen some of the profiles of veteran-owned companies in our region, but there is so much more.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, Toledo City Council is expected to refer Ordinance 234-21 to its Committee of the Whole for further review. The ordinance would establish new regulations for small box discount stores, also known as dollar stores, by requiring them to obtain special use permits and be subject to annual reviews, and new locations to be at least one mile away from existing stores. The proposal was forwarded to the full City Council without recommendation after being previously reviewed by Council’s Zoning & Planning Committee. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce opposes the measure as it would add unnecessary layers of regulation and potentially discourage business development in the city.

​​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.