Support for speed limit hikes eroding

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Waning support for three street speed limit changes and financial concerns from City Auditor Martha Balyeat were highlights of Monday night’s Van Wert City Council meeting.

Council’s support for speed limit changes has fallen since the legislation was created a few weeks ago, with the three ordinances barely having enough support to pass at this point.

Council read the measures, which would increase the speeds on the following streets: a portion of South Walnut Street between Ervin Road and Hospital Drive would increase to 35 mph, a portion of Westwood Drive from Ervin to Fox roads would increase to 35 mph, and a portion of Marsh Road from the Towne Center retail shopping center to the beginning of North Franklin Street, would increase to 45 mph to mirror the speed limit on the other side of Marsh Road that is in the county.

Second Ward Councilman Joi Mergy said she would oppose all three issues when they come before Council for passage following three readings.

Mergy said she feels the reason for the speed increases are mostly because of the number of speeding tickets being handed out, especially on Westwood Drive, while adding she feels safety would be adversely affected by the speed increases.

“Speed limits are established because of the risk involved in driving,” Mergy said. “In each of these situations, there is some risk out there. If we just base speed limits on how fast you can drive down the road, we can have them all 55.”

Noting that she has received a lot of complaints from the public — especially on raising speed limits on South Walnut Street — Mergy said she feels the portion of South Walnut now 35 mph should be lowered, rather than another section increased to 35 mph.

“If consistency is an issue, South Walnut Street should all be 25 mph,” she said.

Following introduction of the three ordinances, they were all read for the first time, with Council’s advisory vote 4-3 in favor.

Councilman At-Large Jon Tomlinson voted against two of the measures, and noted that the establishment of a school zone in front of Vantage Career Center would affect his vote on the Marsh Road speed limit increase. Vantage High School/Facilities Director Ben Winans attended a Streets and Alleys Committee to voice Vantage officials’ opposition to raising the speed limit. He noted that a school zone would be a plus in alleviating traffic concerns for students coming to and leaving the school.

City Law Director John Hatcher noted, though, that having a school zone in front of Vantage is a separate issue, and one the city doesn’t have a lot of control over, since school zones are established by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The ordinances will be read two more times prior to coming up for final passage.

Also Monday, Balyeat expressed some concerns about city finances, noting that income tax revenues, which were projected to increase 5 percent for the year, have increased just 2 percent so far. Overall, the city’s General Fund is down more than $102,000 over last year, but Balyeat said that’s misleading because of a railroad spur charge from last year. Without that, revenues would be up a bit.

City coffers are also challenged because of the loss of revenues, including the demise of the estate tax.

If the situation continues and spending is not curtailed, she said, the city would be forced to use a large portion of its reserve fund just to balance the budget. In addition, a portion of the .22 percent safety tax revenues are still being used to fund operation of the fire and police departments, which pushes back the purchase of safety vehicles and related equipment.

Balyeat suggested that Council look at raising the city income tax to 2 percent, from its current 1.72 percent, noting that would bring in approximately $500,000 into city coffers. No decision was made on that issue during Monday’s meeting.

Mayor Jerry Mazur talked about junk enforcement efforts, while Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming noted that work is scheduled to begin on streets around the future Franklin Park area soon.

Fleming also said that the Washington Street/Ervin Road intersection would be closed for five days, starting Monday, May 23, so that utility lines can be replaced.

During his report to Council, Hatcher said he was working on transitioning local traffic ordinances to bring them in line with the state traffic code, noting that more revenues would remain in the city from traffic fines if the local ordinances mirrored the Ohio Revised Code.

The next meeting of Van Wert City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, in Council Chambers, on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.