September 2024 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 9/27/24.

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:
  • Mansfield Road
  • North End Bike Path
  • Update on the $500,000 critical infrastructure grant that is being used for a street improvement project for West Burgess Street and West Hamtramck Street
    
• Mayor Starr gives updates on other projects for the City:
  • Update from the Engineering Department on the Water Meter and Flood Plain Inventory Study.
  • Mayor Starr shares information about another grant for the City – a $750,000 Neighborhood Revitalization Grant.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update in the City Auditor’s Position and the appointment of an interim auditor. Samantha Ramsier has been appointed to take over for Terry Scott who has retired.
    
• Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
  • Tax Levy Rates
  • Permission to dispose of some police vehicles and other various equipment
  • One Time Community Improvement Funds through the Ohio General Assembly (surplus from the State Budget) – $2 million dollars for design and construction of the new Mount Vernon Police Station
  • Created a new TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District
  • Change of traffic direction on West Hamtramck and West Burgess Streets
    
    
• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
  • Calls for service
  • Recognition for Lieutenant Rex Young from the Ohio Attorney General’s office for scenario-based training
• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
  • Calls for service
  • Fire Hydrant flushing
  • Swearing in 3 new full-time officers and promoting 3 officers
• Mayor Starr talks about two referendums on the November ballot for voters. Both referendums are citizen-driven referendums based on opposition to City Council approvals earlier this year. He discusses the Edgewood Road proposed project and the rezoning project on Vernonview Drive. He shares the administration’s perspective on both issues and what has made them so controversial.

• Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in October.
  10/7 – Early Voting begins, and absentee ballots will be mailed out
  10/10 – Open House at the Mount Vernon Fire Department in honor of Fire Prevention Week
  10/12 – Servitas – Event hosted by the Knox County Career Center Junior ROTC Challenge. All members of the military will be represented. 29 teams will be competing in different physical challenges.
  10/29 – Comprehensive Plan Update
  10/31 – Trick or Treating for Mount Vernon, 5:30pm – 7pm

• He shares goals for October and shares how we can pray for him and his team.
  – Splash Pad at Riverside Park
  – New year-round restroom at Harmony Park Playground
  – C A & C Depot work on the Liberty Plaza and American Heritage Park
  – Projects in West Foundation Park and on North Catherine Street
  – West End Flood Plain Elevation Study

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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