Veterans Services submit preliminary budget request
By Dean Shipley
Staff Writer
Madison County commissioner Mark Forrest, seated, signs a proclamation for October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month as fellow commsssioners, from left, Paul Gross and David Dhume, and Niki Glispie, executive director of A Friend’s House and Laurie Brining, court and community advocate, look on.
The Veterans Services Organization’s preliminary budget requested on Monday a modest increase in its budget for 2013. The proposed increase is $329,734, up from $4,035 from the 2012 budget of $325,699. Primary changes appear to be in the area of official salary and employee salary. Official salary is proposed to decrease by $3,500 while employee salary is proposed to increase by $7,535.
In other business Monday, the Madison County Park Board met with county comissioners.
Items on the expense line of the Madison County Park Board’s balance sheet are obvious. It’s not much, $128 for a “Rent-a-John.” It’s also obvious there is a lack of entries on the revenue side. In the Madison County Park board’s meeting with the Madison County Commissioners it was discussed, but no action taken, on what to do to gain revenue.
Sponsorship was one method discussed. Commissioner Paul Gross cited hole and/or tee sponsorship signs at the local country club. A company pays a sponsorship fee to have its name placed on a sign post at a tee, for example.
With additional revenue it would help the park district apply for grant funds, which often need matching funds for application.
Julia Cumming, spokeswoman for the park district, said Aaron To, Eagle Scout candidate, has installed the bat houses along the trail as a part of his Eagle Scout community project. Also, a new sign has been erected at the Little Darby Reserve, 5995 Lafayette-Plain City Road. Cumming was pleased with its appearance.
In other business, the commissioners issued and signed a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Madison County. Niki Glispie, executive director of A Friend’s House and Laurie Brining, court and community advocate, brought the proclamation to commissioners for their approval.
The Commissioners also approved rezoning of pie-shaped 19-acre tract of land from agriculture to commercial use. The tract is part of a larger tract which is to be used for soccer fields by the Mid-Ohio Sport Soccer League (MOSSL). The tract sits along state Route 161 and is bordered by the CSX railroad and the Madison-Franklin county line.
Zoning department manager Dave Hughes said the approval complies with the county’s comprehensive plan. All other contiguous lands are already zoned commercial.
“It’s right against other commercial properties,” Hughes said.
