Mt. Union begins process to unincorporate

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

MT. UNION ? Despite being a holiday, or maybe because the Mt. Union City Council was called to order on Memorial Day, the metal folding chairs in the city?s community hall were filled as the community engaged in a heated discussion regarding the city dissolving, which led to one individual being led out by sheriff?s deputies.

On Monday, the council voted 4-0 to pass a resolution that would officially begin the process of dissolving the city as a municipality. Councilwoman Samantha Strothman was absent for the vote.

While no public hearing was held Monday regarding the city unincorporating, a public forum will be held in the future, allowing citizens to voice their opinion or concerns.

?Right now, the majority of the people in Mt. Union are for unincorporation,? Mayor John Marek stated during the meeting.

Marek received a petition donned with 12 names requesting the city disolve.

And although residents weren?t allowed to speak regarding the unincorporation, a public hearing was held to discuss a budget amendment for the fiscal year 2016 budget.

Marek asked citizens to stand, state their name and whether they were for or opposed to the amendment.

?I have one question about the amendment,? said Linda Johnson before being cut off by the mayor.

?This is not a question or answer session,? said Marek. ?It?s a public hearing discussion, all we are to hear is whether you?re for it and why or against it and why.?

Linda asked how she could be against something she didn?t have enough information on?

?That?s not my issue,? retorted Marek.

Linda?s brother Dan Johnson then stood to oppose the amendment. Dan barely uttered a few sentences from his prepared statements before Marek banged his gavel, ordering Dan to cease and desist. As Dan continued, Marek told Councilman Ben Johnson, no relation, to call the Sheriff. A recess was called until sheriff?s deputies arrived on scene to escort Dan out.

?If everybody here is voted in by the people of Mt. Union, why can?t the people of Mt. Union actually talk?? asked resident Deanna Pfeiffer.

Several individuals in the crowd called out in agreement, urging Marek to use his gavel again; a motion that would continue throughout the meeting.

Kim Fenton, of Imagine Recreating Mt. Union, discussed adding a toddler playground to the city park. Fenton said the total cost of the equipment, installation and wood chips would run about $19,000. The city earmarked $16,000 for the project, citing the group would need to provide the extra $3,000. The city has about $24,000 in special funds for park improvements.

Once again, unrest came over the crowd with the mention of spending city funds.

Councilman Randy Wilkerson asked if the project could be tabled until the city finds out more about the unincorporation process. Wilkerson said he would like to find out if the city could use those funds and monies in the Road Use Tax (RUT) and Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to pay off city debt. The city?s property will have to be sold to pay off outstanding debts before it can be dissolved, meaning the park could be sold to a private entity.

?Why keep the money,? responded Councilwoman Wendy Mather, who stated she believed those funds would either go to the city or state.

County Auditor Shelly Barber could not be reached by deadline regarding what would happen to the RUT, LOST or special funds.

Roger Richer?s mother-in-law, Mary Lauer, left a $500 memorial fund for the park. Richer, who lives just outside of city limits, said his mother-in-law would ?have a fit? if the funds were used to build a playground that could be sold off to a private owner to pay off the city debts.

The council approved the playground addition with a 3-1 vote, Wilkerson cast the lone ?no? vote.

As the meeting drew to a close, Marek alerted residents to what would be coming down the pike as the resolution of intent was approved. The city will have to work with Henry County in order to figure out how to get rid of assets and debts before a public hearing can be held. Then, the council will pass another resolution; at that time citizens can request a special election regarding disunion.