Minster council advances tax policy, Globeus abatement and park improvements

MINSTER - Minster Village Council handled several business items during this week’s meeting, including tax policy, a proposed tax abatement for Globeus Printing and Packaging, parking changes, and seasonal hiring, according to Village Administrator Don Harrod.

Harrod said council gave a second reading to an ordinance adopting a sales tax reimbursement policy. He said the move is tied to an Ohio Auditor of State bulletin dealing with sales tax exemptions for villages. While the village does not pay sales tax on purchases made in the village’s name, Harrod said employees who use personal cash or credit cards for village purchases must pay sales tax and can then be reimbursed under the new policy.

Council also gave a first reading to an ordinance approving an enterprise zone agreement with Globeus Printing and Packaging. Harrod said the agreement would provide a 10 year tax abatement tied to a planned 45,000 square foot expansion at the company’s Minster facility.

According to Harrod, Globeus plans to invest about 3.2 million dollars in the addition and create five new jobs. The proposed abatement would be set at 60 percent for the first five years and 30 percent for the second five years.

Council also awarded the bid for the Paris Street Park parking lot improvement project to Tom’s Construction of St. Henry in the amount of $430,079. Harrod said the project will rebuild the current parking lot and add more parking space, with work expected to begin within the next month or so.

In other action, council established a two hour limited parking area on the south side of East Fourth Street from the post office to Lincoln Street.

Council also approved an ordinance allowing parking on the west side of South Lincoln Drive. Harrod said that area had previously been marked no parking to allow truck access to a business, but that business is no longer there.

Council also hired part time seasonal help for the parks department for the summer, including mowers and students to assist with ball diamond and park maintenance.