Fremont leaders look for answers after 2nd road levy defeat
FREMONT — City officials will meet this week to discuss what Fremont should do in terms of its roads and whether to put another income tax levy on the ballot, the city's economic development director said Monday.
Bob Gross, the city's economic development director, spoke at the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce's Fremont Town Hall, an event that offered business owners and community members an opportunity to meet with local and state elected officials and hear about local projects and development.
Gross said the city had made a bipartisan effort to promote the proposed new 0.5% income tax levy, which leaders hoped would fund a five-year road program, after it failed at the polls in November.
Voters once again rejected the levy earlier this month, and city officials believe rising costs, higher gas prices and inflation were among the factors that may have dampened residents' enthusiasm for an increase in Fremont's income tax rate.
"With levies they can change quick. Things aren't the same as they were six months ago," Gross said.
60% of voters opposed the levy
Based on unofficial results from the Sandusky County Board of Elections, more than 60% of voters cast their ballots against the levy.
Unofficial vote totals recorded 1,144 no votes compared to 754 in favor of the levy.
The city's proposed five-year road plan called for $2.5 million to $3 million in funding annually from the levy.
Gross said city officials are considering public outreach efforts over the next few months to get voter feedback on whether they want a road levy and what might be considered acceptable.
He and Fremont City Councilman Chris Liebold also spoke about some other city initiatives, like the city's worker relocation grant program and designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA), as well Birchard Public Library's expansion/addition project.
Gross called the city's DORA a nice shot in the arm to small businesses.
Liebold said the city could either expand its existing DORA or add a second area under state law.
Between the library project, a proposed downtown amphitheater and a new MoonShine Entertainment nightclub scheduled to open on South Front Street this summer, Gross said there is roughly $10 million in investment coming within a two-block downtown area.
Population growth won't meet job needs
Sandusky County Commissioners Scott Miller and Russ Zimmerman also appeared at the town hall.
Miller said the region's projected population growth doesn't meet the jobs needs of employers in Sandusky and surrounding counties.
He said improvements in downtown Fremont, as well as the city's new school buildings and the presence of ProMedica Memorial Hospital would be keys in attracting new people to the area.
Miller stressed the importance of new industrial park development and noted the success Wood County was having in attracting businesses to the former Peloton site.
Potential Intel suppliers are also showing an interest in Northwest Ohio due to its proximity to Intel's planned facilities and investment in the Columbus area, Miller said.
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Fremont leaders talk economic development at Fremont town hall
