On December 12 Bluffton Council member Joe Sehlhorst provided the following highlights for Village of Bluffton activities in 2022. He notes that these are highlights rather than a comprehensive list. His goal was to keep it to two printed pages.

November

Ottawa water rate for 2023: $3.02 per CCF; (2022: $2.62, 2021: $2.44, 2020: $2.06)

Year 2021 - Top 15 water users for 2021: SumiRiko (10x higher), GROB (2, 9 Caf.), Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton U. (4,8,11,13,14), Riley View Apt., Bluffton Hospital, Vance St. apts., Comfort Inn, A&B Car Wash, Alpine Village. (Jan. Council Report).

Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce-Jim Enneking thanks council, safety services, and cultural affairs for a successful Blaze of Lights. New entertainment zone on Vine St. (Beer and Bourbon, food, and tent) called Blaze after Lighting.

Village enters 3-year Allen County dispatch service for Police, Fire, and EMS. Cost is $55,600 Yr. 1, (1 ½% increase) Yr. 2 $56,442; Yr. 3 $57,289. 

Officer Rayle to participate in Police Unity Bicycle Ride from NJ to Washington DC and meet up with officers to honor fallen officers. Bluffton Police Force to represent Officer Dominic Francis. 

 

October

Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow engagement was a success. With the help of close to 100 adults and a dozen or so youth. Many good ideas collected. Event is another effort from our steering committee to create a vision for the community. For those unable to attend, we posted another online survey for additional participation.

Allen County Land Bank to assist with demolition of Cherry St. grain mill.

Village owned farmland cash lease agreements to expire at the end of 2022, Two separate leases: Bluffton Airport Farm – 65.53 acres; Stager Farm 15.83 acres

Pathway Board taking on responsibility to raise $90k (1/3 of the Bluffton match of $272k) for the 2023 State Route 103 Pathway project.

 

September

School Resource Officer Resolution passes unanimously. Mitch presents letter for record expressing his concern with such an action as being necessary. He refers to this need to try to protect our children with weapons, “the great shame of our society.” Well written and received. 

Bentley crosswalk by University improved. Combined effort with Village and University installing crosswalk warning sign in middle of road. Village has received many positive comments.

Sanitary Sewer Compliance Connections – Resident sump pump inspections. As of Oct., 35.6% complete.

 

August

Liz Gordon Hancock presents to Streets Committee a Fall Main St. theme. Great way to beautify Bluffton during the Fall. Cultural Affairs participates.

Street light audit conducted by Nate Jordan. Reviewed by Councilman Jerry Cupples. Lists areas for future lighting improvements, which the Complete Streets survey emphasized drivers and pedestrians wanting. 

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder selected to serve as District Representative on the Executive and District State Safety Board for 2022-23

Mayor forms Safety Service Alley Project Team to create a safety service recognition area beside the Town Hall. 

Complete Streets workshop with Toole Design Group, Ohio Action Institute, Allen County Public Health, LARP, and Complete Streets Task Force to formulate a Complete Streets policy.

 

July

Bentley Road intersection improvements go out to bid. Project consists of road realignment at Bentley (SR103) and Main S. Project to include the installation of storm and pedestrian improvements. In addition, 453’ of 8” water main replacement between Harmon Road and Main St.

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee “Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow” conducts online survey. 

 

June

Streets Committee finalizing Bentley Road realignment for 2023. Add crosswalk markings and sidewalk to Harmon Rd.

SR103 Curb Repair (655’ Private, 434’ Public) in preparation for ODOT resurfacing project

Concrete pads to be poured for Village Park Disc Golf. Tee pads $5,412. Hole signage $6,486.

Community Clean-Up gathered over 320 cubic yards. Filled 8 40-yard dumpsters of acceptable materials.

Bluffton Airport renews consulting contract with Richland Engineering

CARES Funding. Roughly, $11k remains. Use monies for HVAC improvements. It has also been suggested that steel man doors need to be replaced. We have already spent $52k for improved lighting, lobby floor, restrooms, and door work.

Property Insurance expires July 2022. Current cost is $61k going to $69.6k, a 4% increase based on inflation. The new policy has an increased property evaluation of an additional 11%. Premium will be $73,950.

Employee Assistance Program: 2 years free then $1.27 month per employee. 

 

May

Welcome to Bluffton signage approved for Bentley Rd entrance into the Village. Cost $7,417

Village receives $87,066 from ODNR Clean Ohio Trails Grant for acquisition of green space/row for SR103 project.

Lima Allen Regional Planning to lead Bluffton’s Comprehensive Plan.

TIP Development Process 2024-2027. Receive $2M annually for multimodal transportation improvements

July 1 – Letter soliciting projects due Sept 1

Application process w/ estimates required by ODOT

2045 Horizon Projects for Long Term County Comprehensive Plan

 

April

Recap: Bluffton Bike and Pedestrian Pathway Successes. Established in 1990, Triplett Pathway

2014 – Lions Way Path, 2015 – Lions Way Trailhead Park, 2016 – Lions Way Augsburger Road pathway, 2017-Lions Way Parkview Path, 2018-Lions Way Bentley Path, 2019/20 – Lions Way North Bentley Pathway; In-Process 2023- Lions Way County Line Road, Lions Way SR 103

Complete Streets: Action Institute Workshop. Statewide initiative involving the Ohio Department of Health, Toole Design Group, Smart Growth America – National Complete Streets Coalition, Allen County Public Health, local leaders. Three other Ohio communities participating with Complete Streets.

 

March

Bidding on Lawn & Jackson Water Main Project ($391k) and SR103 Sanitary Improvements Project ($309k)

Bentley Road realignment postponed work for early 2023 ($276k) – already budgeted in 2021 budget.

Complete Streets Task Force begins in April. Mayor approves Team: Chair-Joe Sehlhorst, Ryan Shoemaker, Travis Music, Jesse Blackburn, Lima Allen County Regional Planning (Adam), and Allen County Health Dept. (Bri). Should be a 10-month project to create Complete Streets policy for Council approval.

Old green street signs deemed surplus. Selling for $10 each.

The first year using the AG for collections and the amount of taxes owed subject for refund is unknown. We can expect estimated $40k in back taxes paid. Thanks so much State of OH.

EPA approves hourly reductions for sewage plant. Allowing Jan to get back in the field.

Pathway Board accepts resignations from Laura Voth and Dick Ramseyer. Thankful for their service.

 

February

Airport Master Plan begun in 2016 has been finalized and approved by the FAA

PerryPro Tech Virtual Server installed. 

Employees to receive a 6% raise.

 

January

AEP-Arboretum Easement receives $10k for tree removal and easement. Monies to replace trees and balance to go towards Tree Commission fund.

2021 Building and Zoning Permit Update: 63 permits issued totaling $11.84M (5 new homes and $10M Bluffton University Knowlton Science Building project).

Income Tax Revenue

2014 - $2.23M

2015 - $2.12M, -5.03%

2016 - $2.70M, 27.48% utility surcharge

2017 - $2.59M, -4.30%

2018 - $2.79M, 7.91%

2019 - $2.56M, -8.27%

2020 - $2.46, -3.79%

2021 - $2.61 - 5.8%

 

December 2021

2020 Census Analysis: 2010 pop. 4,125; 2020 pop. 3,967; 158 people decrease over 10 years (BU students included in count).

Bluffton University 2010 pop. 1,129; 2020 pop. 750 = 379 student decrease at time of census counts.

Analysis Combined Data: Excluding BU student population, an increase of 221 residents in the Village from 2010 to 2020.

Growth rate of 7.38%; OH growth rate during the same time span 2.3%.

Village of Bluffton to receive $427.5K from American Rescue Plan Act.

New Utility Bill Cycle begins March 2022. Usage measured from 1st to end of the month.