November 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, 11/29/24.

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:

• Northend culverts on Old Mansfield Rd, storm water problems as well.
• East Vine St sidewalk project
• Catherine St. project
• New Court House Design
  
  
• Mayor Starr gives updates from City Departments:
  • Engineering – entered into a contract with the county for the Knox Cattle Company dam
  • Streets and Parks – preparing for winter, leaf pickup, snowplow names and installation of new LED bulbs for streetlights
  • Public Buildings and Lands – construction update, water hydrants, and replacing sidewalks on the public square
  • Revamping of the Auditor’s office
  • Sidewalks on public square – 1260 square feet have been replaced so that it is safer for people to walk
  • Public Utilities – update on the Water and Wastewater Plant (concerning Ohio EPA-mandated phosphorus reduction in the outflow).  
  • Parks Department – park bathrooms are being *winterized*. Getting downtown ready for CHRISTMAS!! Update on the Splash Pad project

• Mayor Starr shares his thoughts about the election results over the two referendums that failed. He shares the plan for those areas. We also talk about voter turnout.

• Mayor Starr talks about the city’s electric aggregation program. There was some recent concern after residents received a letter from AEP. Energy Harbor sold to Dynegy (new company).

• Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant update
  • Latest news on the new police station and municipal courthouse. The City Council has authorized the design phase. Legislation is approved that is allowing requests for qualifications. Courthouse RFQ’s have come in.
  • Reserve balance account. Rainy day fund.
  • Camping in parks for educational community events.
  • Columbus Delano fields. Pollinator gardens.

• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
  • New tasers
  • Welcome to new Officer Brookhunter.

• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
  • Update on Training
  • Grant from Homeland Security for hazmat equipment

• Jeff Gottke, Area Development Director went on a trip with Knox Pages to Sherwood, Oregon. Their goal was to gather information about how an Intel plant impacted an area that is similar to Mount Vernon. The project is called “Intel – Beyond the Chip”. Mayor Starr shares some important findings that Jeff brought back to him and his administration. A full report is coming next week. Growth can happen to us or with us.

• Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shares a list of events on the December Calendar including the new budgeting process for 2025.

• Mayor Starr shares his immediate goals for December and how we can pray for him and his team.
  
  
  

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