Minster Council Accepts Property Tax Rates, Takes Up Fire Protection Agreement

Minster Village Council accepted property tax rates Tuesday and gave a first reading to an ordinance that would renew a fire protection agreement for properties north of Lake Loramie.

Village Administrator Don Harrod said council suspended its rules and adopted a resolution accepting the amounts and rates set by the Auglaize County Budget Commission. The resolution certifies those figures to the county auditor, who estimates the village will receive $348,700 in property tax revenue for its general fund and $362,152 from its fire and EMS levy.

The proposed agreement with the Loramie Fire District would continue an annual arrangement for properties in McLean Township north of Lake Loramie. Harrod said Minster firefighters can reach those properties more quickly because Loramie Fire District crews would have to travel through Minster to get there. The village would receive $29,950 for providing the coverage.

Council also gave a first reading to a resolution to adopt Auglaize County’s natural hazard mitigation plan. Harrod said the plan identifies natural hazards that could affect the county, reviews past events and outlines ways to reduce future damage.

In personnel action, council approved hiring Hardin-Houston student Cooper Echols as a Public Works intern. Echols will assist with the village’s geographic information system, or GIS, and earn $15.57 an hour. Council also approved adding a volunteer firefighter to the village department.