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Death notice for Robert "Bob" Wilch

Posted by Staff on August 20, 2024 - 9:51am

Robert “Bob” Wilch, passed away on August 18, 2024 in Arizona.  Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

Section: 
Obituaries
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Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow, part 4: Infrastructure

Posted by Staff on August 20, 2024 - 8:53am

In this series, the Icon presents the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow comprehensive plan in eight segments, which can be found in full on the Village of Bluffton website HERE. The Bluffton Public Library has two print copies.

Housing
Municipalities across the nation are reviewing housing supply data as societal evolutions change requirements. The number of occupants per home is decreasing and the average home is growing in square footage. Our earliest pertinent data for Bluffton was collected in 1970. Just over 50 years ago, each resident averaged 325 square feet of living space with the mean home spanning 1,500 square feet. The most recent decennial census in 2020 identified the average home size in Bluffton as 2,465 square feet, raising the living space to resident ratio to 431 square feet to one resident (Allen County Auditor data).

Similar statistics could be tracked in most American municipalities. Denser populations are the goal because they are more efficient. Running utilities 2,000 feet to 10 homes returns less revenue than the same distance for 20 homes. Income tax on 20 homes returns far more capital to the municipality than property taxes on large lots with proportional homes.

Section: 
Business
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Summary of August 19 Board of Education meeting

Posted by Staff on August 20, 2024 - 8:13am

By Betsi Werling

The August 19 meeting of the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education included the approval of supplemental contracts for coaches, advisors and substitute staff and teachers. The use of a therapy dog was approved in the schools.

The board received a visit from Chris Ewing, Pastor of County Line Church, who said he would hold the schools in his prayers as the year gets started. 

Paula Parish reported that at the beginning of the year funds are transferred from the General Fund to a variety of activity accounts. There was a total of $6,100 moved to accounts including the Marching Band, Latin Club, some of the musical groups and academic teams. Parish also reported that the district received a clean audit for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

The following supplemental contracts were approved: 

Section: 
Public Meetings
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JAMPD board meeting for August 20 is canceled

Posted by Staff on August 20, 2024 - 7:49am

The regular board meeting for the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District is cancelled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024 due to the lack of the required quorum.

Section: 
Public Meetings
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Pirate volleyball falls to Shawnee

Posted by Staff on August 20, 2024 - 7:47am

By Cort Reynolds

Playing at home, the Bluffton volleyball team lost to Shawnee in four tough sets Monday, August 19.

Section: 
Sports
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August Discovery Days are this Friday-Saturday

Posted by Paula Scott on August 20, 2024 - 7:38am

Eighteen businesses are particpating in this weekend's Discovery Days promotion in Bluffton. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating prize drawings for up to $100 in Bluffton Bucks. Get a ticket when you stop in one of the businesses above, get additional tickets for each $10 spent, up to $100.

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