September 2023 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 9/29/23.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

• A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:
  • Water line and sewage line work on Fairgrounds Road
  • Curbs, gutters, and sidewalk work on Plaza Drive
  • Industrial Park 
  • There are 70-80 active construction jobs right now
• Mayor Starr shares information about a public meeting that is coming up on 10/5 to discuss the planning for changes to State Route 13 within the City. The design work and renderings will be shared with the public. The City encourages residents to come and share their comments and ask questions. The Ohio Department of Transportation will be at the meeting to share and answer questions. The meeting will be held at the Station Break Senior Citizens Center from 5-7 p.m.
• He also shares information about a public meeting happening earlier on 10/5 from 3-4 p.m. at the Station Break. This meeting will discuss the design renderings for the City’s new Municipal Court Building and new Police Station. Attendees will be able to discuss the projects with City Officials, ask questions, and provide input.
• Mayor Starr shares an update on the search for a Safety Service Director. He shares how the responsibilities of this position are being handled during the search. 
• Mayor Starr shares his thoughts on the recent MVNU announcement to transform a downtown building at 18 East Vine Street into a state-of-the-art academic hub for students in the engineering and computer science programs. Mayor Starr also comments about how the Knox County Land Bank will be working to create new commercial spaces on the main floor of the building.
• Updates from Mount Vernon City Council: The city joined the Sustainable 2050 Program through the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. He talks about how this impacts us now and in the future.
• Updates from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
  • There is a conceptual drawing for the new police department. A public meeting will be held on 10/5 from 3 p.m.
  – 4 p.m.
  • at the Station Break Senior Citizens Center.
  • Update on filling the vacant spot of Police Captain that is open because of Scott McKnight’s retirement.
• Updates from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
  • Organizational Assessment received from the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. They identified 24 different recommendations for the department.
  • They have determined several areas to work on in this next year: community risk reduction area, fire inspections, fire prevention and safety activities and filling the position of Assistant Fire Chief, employment, and finding a location for a second fire station on the east end of the city.
• Events planned for the City in October
  • Johnny Appleseed Apple Festival, 10/6, 5pm – 8pm
  • Junior Air Force ROTC Challenge Course, 10/14 at Ariel Foundation Park
• Immediate goals for October
  • Fill the position of Safety Service DirectorAccelerate plans for the new Courthouse, Annex Building, and the Police Department
  • Wrap up construction project on Plaza Drive
• Update on how public notices will be advertised on the City’s website instead of in a newspaper. A change in the law is going into effect in October. This will save the City over $50,000.
• Mayor Starr tells us how we can pray for his team as they head into the month of October.
• Residents can stay connected to the City of Mount Vernon on their brand new Linked In page, City of Mount Vernon, Ohio. You can find routine updates, job postings, and more.
  Citizens can still check the City’s website and Facebook.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

• Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
• Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
• Twitter – CityMV1805
• YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
• LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio `