Public Meetings

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Cost, on-street parking, noise and artificial turf among topics discussed

By Paula Pyzik Scott

On Monday, July 27, Bluffton Council conducted a public hearing on the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools (BEVS) request to vacate a portion of Vine St. to allow for the construction of a 1.2 acre athletic practice field. An active and sometimes emotional discussion included council members, school district representatives and residents, many of whom live near Lawn and Vine streets.

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On Monday, July 28, Bluffton Council is scheduled to vote on the first reading of an ordinance to vacate a portion of Vine St. between N. Jackson and N. Lawn as requested by Bluffton Exempted Village Schools (as part of a proposed 1.2 acre artificial turf practice field).

The council will also hold a 7:05 p.m. public hearing on the topic.

Some aspects of the practice field design would require variances from Village code, a matter handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

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By Betsi Werling

The Bluffton Exempted Village School Board met on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Elementary School Library.

The Board approved the 2025-2026 appropriations totaling $25,935,403.69. The resolution in the agenda stated that Bluffton School District has sufficient funds to meet their contract, obligations, payments and expenditures for the district to provide a successful district. 

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CLICK to enlarge and view gallery at your own pace / Includes Bluffton Icon visualization of middle and elementary school campus between Jackson and Lawn, samples from design pages

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Schools presented plans for a 1.2 acre artificial turf practice field to the Village of Bluffton Planning Commission on July 22. According to Superintendent Greg Denecker, Village of Bluffton public meetings are how the public will learn about the project. The schools are requesting Village permissions for the closure of Vine St., council approval of the project and application for variances on elements such as light posts and fence heights.

To date, school board meetings have addressed the purchase of two residential properties and the demolition of two houses, which took place earlier this year. A budget for the project has not been announced.

A July 28 public hearing on the vacation of Vine St. before the Village of Bluffton council has been scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Bluffton Town Hall.

The July 22 meeting was attended by some 14 individuals who were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. This included two Bluffton School Board members, Alice Basinger and Brad Dailey.

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By Paula Pyzik Scott

On Monday July, 14 Bluffton Council held its annual budget public hearing. Fiscal Officer Kevin Nickel presented the 2026 appropriations summary which shows a total of $13.5M in expenses and $12.9M in revenue.

Nickel noted items with the highest budgeted increases are Payroll 4% and General Expenses 5%. Other spending lines are either flat or lower than those percentages.

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ABOVE) Traffic study results for BEVS campus, June 26, 2025

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Three topics are on the agenda for the Bluffton Planning Commission meeting on Monday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.

  • Review of traffic data regarding the closure of Vine St. and expansion of the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools campus across Vine St.
  • Zoning District assignment to the newly annexed properties on the east side of I-75
  • Request to move lot lines among three adjoining properties owned by Andy Chappell-Dick on W. Elm St and N. Lawn Ave.

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