In the spirit of reflection, I’d like to offer up my take on the City of Bellbrook’s City Council highlights for the year. This is very high level, no official language and no particular order. Much more happened, but I think this is the bottom line for topics of citizen interest. Overall I believe Council was fair and thorough, although room for improvement is always possible. The City of Bellbrook remains a great place to call home. Do you agree with my perspective?
Taxpayers voted to pass a $600k safety levy to fund existing programs, amounting to an increase of $77 per $100k of home value annually.
City of Bellbrook banned the sale of recreational marijuana in city limits. Laws around use of recreational marijuana remain unchanged.
Street-legal golf carts are approved in areas of 35mph or less.
Backyard chickens are legal in city limits.
The Age-Friendly Bellbrook Community Action Plan was presented.
Traffic on Main Street was reduced by limiting certain types of through-traffic of commercial and heavy vehicles.
Roads paved included Pavilion, Bledsoe, Brewster Run Ct, and parts of S West and W South.
Discussions continued about the City and CIC’s role in the transfer of the old Sugarcreek Elementary from Schools to Bellbrook to CIC to Lions.
Cathi Spraugy was hired as Community Development Administrator.
Kathleen Wright was newly elected to City Council in the vacancy created by Brady Harding’s departure.
Two new successful events happened in our downtown area: The Museum’s 200th celebration (a City initiative), and Taste of the Town (led by the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Chamber of Commerce).