Holland village officials are making plans to receive “a significant amount” of federal stimulus funds through the American Rescue Act approved by Congress in March.
At a July 13 meeting, village council approved an ordinance setting up an account for the money, although the amount is not yet known.
Lyn Krasula, village clerk/treasurer, explained that the state, which is disbursing the funds, calculated amounts for all Ohio communities but then realized that townships had been left out.
Totals are now being recalculated, she said.
Paul Skaff, village solicitor, said the “money is not insignificant, and depends on population.”
Funds may be used to respond to the pandemic and its negative economic impacts; restore cuts in public services caused by pandemic-induced revenue losses and pay for water, sewer and broadband infrastructure projects, Mr. Skaff explained.
Holland Mayor Lee Irons said village leaders next will “see what things we can or should do” with the funds.
Other Business
In other business, council:
•Learned that Mayor Irons has appointed Julius “Doc” Skeldon as the acting maintenance supervisor while Brian Yunker is out on medical leave.
The mayor said another employee also is off on medical leave, which may require the hiring of several temporary maintenance staff.
•Authorized the payment of $1,026,285 in bills. Ms. Krasula said the large total was due to the quarterly JEDZ payments, plus expenses for this summer’s two road projects.
•Approved assessments of $1,845, $1,360 and $2,190 for streetlighting districts in Holland Business Center and Orchard Centre.
The mayor noted these are the only assessments the village has done, and they only apply to commercial properties.
•Approved a one-year contract with Service Express, at a cost of $2,124, as recommended by Councilman Scott Brown.
The service contract is part of a recent technology upgrade at village offices.
Councilman Brown noted that some of the switches no longer can be covered by a service contract because they are 15 years old.
“They are past end-of-life but are still in service,” he said, adding that council will need to address the issue later this year.
•Heard from Mayor Irons that one end of Hall Street will close from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, for a car show at the school.
Council’s next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, at the village hall, 1245 Clarion Avenue. The meeting is open to the public.
~Beth Church
