[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6180957,"mediaKeyId","5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9","parentId",5115727,"title","Commission approves sidewalk/curb program financing and project contracts; assessments to be levied to properties","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",7028000,"endMs",7133000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9&start=7028&end=7133","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9/thumbnail_7028000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6180957/Ohio/Commission-approves-sidewalkcurb-program-financing-and-project-contracts-assessments-to-be-levied-to-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180957-27c6dbadd0bea6bf1eb28409d58c898d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524259&Signature=OdfyU-P7BZbQ2oeFiHk1qqAA5yCcVtn3R0kHEU3B~LKx~v8N03WK2nbzZLBXKJQkj0NJW-F03CcaWyKiG119eYvDM9HgUywZa6s0kRcilwAGUotx~0IJGWrTYG2AqwJqwXPfs0Jumt-~mNLTJeICN98zV310zyZOmYwaP2TJoQ5t5m8ufimrJHKQpzt6Z8D7aOmgpNpZnSzAZobkzG6nixbSqJs~y2fWQHKY7RpqSwCxAYBFBGPoUInSOEN~dUYmMoq7o9z5mBX-sfXFFXpT-bqU2KJX6W0xfR-c2SRQ-cwF2PttKMFxNfgKl0orjrKRmfKyt9oJ1AzTNle47kh1xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield OH","date","2025-07-02T18:20:33Z","article","The commission approved measures on June 30 to finance and continue the city’s sidewalk, curb and gutter program and to confirm associated contracts.

Council authorized issuance of bond anticipation notes in a maximum aggregate principal sum of $1,140,600 to fund sidewalk, curb and gutter construction for the 2024 program; the city manager explained the municipal practice: the city’s contractor performs the work, the city pays contract invoices up front and the city assesses the costs to benefitting property owners. Staff said assessments are now spread over 10 years (the city changed from a five‑year assessment because concrete prices rose), reducing annual tax‑bill impacts for individual property owners.

The mayor and manager noted property owners may elect to have private contractors perform work themselves provided the contractor meets city specifications and pulls required permits; otherwise the city’s contracted program will proceed and the cost will be assessed to the property. A companion ordinance authorized construction contracts for resurfacing and other public-works projects (separate items on the consent/ordinance list passed by roll call), and commissioners instructed staff to provide contact information for property owners with questions about scheduling, costs and permits.

The vote on the bond anticipation note and associated contracts passed by roll call; staff said payments will be collected through property tax assessments and will be used to pay down the note as receipts are collected.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission authorized note issuance to finance 2024 curb/sidewalk work, approved related contracts and confirmed the assessment model that places repayment on property tax bills over a 10-year period.","taxTitle","Springfield City Commission, Springfield City, Clark County, Ohio","taxId",68986,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180962,"Residents press commission on violence, arson and transparency; state pledges support",2707,3115000,5822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9&start=3115&end=5822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9/thumbnail_3115000.jpg","/articles/6180962/Ohio/Residents-press-commission-on-violence-arson-and-transparency-state-pledges-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180962-de789ce8a4c51e450c05e2744a85ca1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524259&Signature=oZQ2jKnp9lUt65N7u8UCYO3nDQckYUMPKi4SXYOT~n2ceQhLmU-m0OEIaHQUtiQJCS46luk5y32j1pqFd9NDyXd3reBabpmLou6b16XDJnlpGazjqT8rIJkwWQ94ARKxrDN-jKFiOfPziZw4~9AGspJwhdcd-p9PR3IriAlHFqIAr5L-Q9VSQFueEtPLccM-89LNX5MxQK~ex~ONTPgKLHo4WiPXbC0HJy23BBApNDRJAQ82b71EV7VAkJbmJFqbGZi-1UFjeCNPTk7AVIslXS5MdoL8t~h-~7MekSj8YK4OTL~xGvf8wIMQZRmNeVhR9765HuCcUIGmo2sB4Eag1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used public comment time at the June 30 meeting to press the commission on violent crime, arson trends and the availability of arrest and crime-data reporting.

Public commenters called attention to an asserted rise in arson and questioned clearance rates; one speaker cited Ohio Incident Based Reporting System counts and stated Springfield ranked high per capita for arson. The police chief (Chief King) replied with department data: the Springfield Police Division opened 74 arson-related reports in 2024, of which 28 were vehicle fires, 32 were building fires, and many reports are initial documentation entries that do not necessarily indicate confirmed arson. Chief King explained the reporting practice: when cause is unknown police often open an arson report to preserve a documentation trail until investigators can determine cause.

Other public commenters urged a city-managed public registry for “serial domestic violence offenders” based on arrests rather than convictions; the police chief and city officials cautioned that creating an arrest-based public registry raises legal and policy issues and suggested individuals seeking lists should work with police or make a records request. Chief King and the city manager said arrest information is public but aggregating and recategorizing arrested individuals into a special public registry without convictions could be legally problematic.

Commenters and commissioners also discussed youth gun‑violence funding. Staff reported that a grant administered by OIC of Clark County was cut by the Department of Justice and that roughly $400,000 remained drawn down prior to termination; commissioners and commenters stressed the local impacts when federal or state grants are reduced or rescinded. A state official on the dais said the governor’s team and the Ohio Department of Public Safety remain available to support violent‑crime response and analysis, and staff pledged coordination with state partners, local law enforcement and community groups.

Commissioners committed to continued outreach and said Chief Elliott and Sheriff Chris Clark will hold a future work session on collaboration to address violence.","Multiple public commenters called for better data, more resources to curb violence and transparency on arrests and arson; state representative and police and fire chiefs described current data practices and offered resources and next steps for collaboration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180967,"Commission grants five-year franchise to RiverNorth Transit; city to move to microtransit model amid rising per-ride costs",0,4982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9&start=4982&end=4982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9/thumbnail_4982000.jpg","/articles/6180967/Ohio/Commission-grants-five-year-franchise-to-RiverNorth-Transit-city-to-move-to-microtransit-model-amid-rising-per-ride-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180967-0a53f3b034cc44359fa5c196e34d0c45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524259&Signature=gZgVg-QpsN9lA1kibbZ9yig4Vk~zhNWynOO~mpdAKqMnBEsympZABL0-Ck8ssTPQSvRzJRop9F01WWLP3NLbqt9fYeR1RuJkqMwCMow1I-pMJ4ba~16gZd1TgUKjn4-9XpKdJWmTB1wMhM19ewgmvjOq~ixdmgb2gnEr1voX-DmfmeeKQAOIj92SfKG5UO02BamyalGiqhHZSiTKG~NH21pcsTPLoKt-RRp~SnZIUJ8icYP6r2ri-hngZDSCZev8ILXZtjDBcSeHuR1zNqVqMEwJm5uyXYTi~g-l-SxDwbGvtm8RuhDKrwrUTOs38BRsHZsJTjkS-df~WOvfsPha6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission voted on June 30 to grant authority to RiverNorth Transit LLC to operate the city’s public transportation system under a new contract structured around a microtransit model.

Staff and transit contractors told commissioners that Springfield’s historical fixed-route system has seen ridership fall from about 280,000 annual rides in 2014 to roughly 120,000 in 2023 while the full cost per ride rose from about $6.83 to roughly $18. With city contributions rising from about $200,000 annually to nearly $400,000, staff said the fixed-route model had become financially unsustainable for the city without a redesigned service model or larger local subsidies.

Transit staff said they sought bids through an RFP process, reissued after initial interest but no bids; three vendors later submitted proposals and evaluation teams recommended Via (operating under the RiverNorth Transit arrangement) as the most affordable and sustainable operator. The new model uses point‑to‑point on‑demand vans (microtransit) rather than large diesel buses and maintains a $1 base fare (with a $2 typical trip cost for riders who transfer under the old model), paratransit service and discounted bulk pass options. Staff said typical new vehicles carry up to six passengers and the initial fleet would be about 16 vehicles; software-driven routing will dynamically match riders and enable data-driven service adjustments.

Commissioners and public commenters raised concerns about communication with existing riders, potential wait times, how veterans and riders with disabilities will be accommodated, and whether private employers could partner to buy bulk passes for employee commutes. Staff said bulk pass and discount options will continue, that paratransit and mobility‑device transport will be supported, and that Via’s software allows ongoing adjustments to hours and fleet deployment based on ridership data. Staff also said about 80% of operating funding historically comes from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and noted federal funding uncertainty could affect long‑term cost assumptions.

The ordinance granting the franchise passed by roll call. Staff emphasized the vote authorizes the operational transition; contract execution and subsequent service launch depend on negotiated terms and implementation steps.","After staff described declining ridership and rising per-ride costs under the fixed-route system, the commission authorized a new contract to transition Springfield’s public transportation to a microtransit provider (RiverNorth Transit/Via) with an operational model intended to stabilize costs and expand point-to-point service.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180972,"City presents draft five-year consolidated plan; warns federal cuts to CDBG and HOME would shrink funding",520,1925000,2445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9&start=1925&end=2445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","/articles/6180972/Ohio/City-presents-draft-five-year-consolidated-plan-warns-federal-cuts-to-CDBG-and-HOME-would-shrink-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180972-a14b4fcf18d7e0527d1ad711ea88433d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524259&Signature=X5WT4H-OEVFqwGN3klgS15QzFjGn68zA2Zr9iHPiXwFC0zm5sVo7rHVUdjB~4vr73ku25mjb84V1RNZ9d6F1S-ekDlijtZLl7fB163YfZ-M2cAL24gA5WGPTBI1OjH8v56yS6L6Uy6pKWrFI4uZkVjtS5gScI6opSz11e4VCBvbygBMjIHeSWnhZq2QXgbLuryiPwBdNTHh-uMLWcoZEc9DI6C-3v1DqL0cg11M8me9maOc4oTSHxBszL3u26coWzFWKDVVIeZHk1YfFu0oe--ifcnEK2LZ-g4KGBMn1FE6EnDOLHS5PVDhMASQWzSJ9L56yK0NdIhzHAXFu9wxs5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Logan (city staff) presented an overview of Springfield’s 2025–2029 consolidated planning process at the public hearing portion of the June 30 Springfield City Commission meeting, describing community engagement, survey results and a draft budget tied to anticipated federal funds.

Staff said the consolidated plan is a five‑year strategic document required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that frames local needs and federal funding priorities for housing, homelessness and community development. The city’s draft assumes roughly $2.3 million annually from HUD and used an illustrative $11 million over five years to ask community groups how they would direct funds, but staff stressed that the federal budget process could change those amounts.

Logan reported eight public meetings and a community survey that produced 579 completed responses. Respondents ranked community services, public improvements and housing as top priorities, and mental‑health services ranked higher than staff expected. Staff said those results shaped draft priorities — emergency repairs, housing rehabilitation, supportive services and neighborhood revitalization — and summarized the draft budget's use of HOME funds for affordable housing construction and rehabilitation and CDBG funds for neighborhood infrastructure.

Staff noted two critical deadlines: a planned first reading on July 15 and a firm HUD submission deadline of August 16, 2025, and encouraged public comment via the city website and email. Commissioners questioned participation levels at public meetings and noted the federal budget proposal circulating in Congress that, according to staff, would remove CDBG and HOME allocations (staff said ESG and expanded ESG were included in the Senate version they had seen). Commissioners and staff discussed the local effects if CDBG or HOME funding were lost.

The commission received and filed the public‑hearing notice and opened the hearing for public comment. No final local appropriations or plan adoption were completed at the meeting; staff identified follow‑up steps and continued public comment options.","City staff described Springfield’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan process, community engagement and draft budget allocations; staff noted federal-level proposals could eliminate CDBG and HOME funding and identified deadlines for public comment and HUD submission.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180977,"Clark County Park District reviews merger, projects and funding as it manages 33 parks",738,995000,1733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9&start=995&end=1733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115727-3e683cc65dbf4618bbbc3db09af233d9/thumbnail_995000.jpg","/articles/6180977/Ohio/Clark-County-Park-District-reviews-merger-projects-and-funding-as-it-manages-33-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180977-f981a51b707d202599a8bd3bbf457de8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524259&Signature=Lfacp7yvMWoifguGFU~gT~WuqgmycN2~DDE6cN2TqICh5tez-W6M3mGm40lBRF~a58p0E2PCOhQCaAP0LYursbpDlZlUsxv1kUKzoxKbVUq6zgpCS8zNJFB38Up3TWoNp1yaaJJjiwSTcIsEvpQL-GHmGkWMBMza9LIy4yfU-EGL2UShQ~~3Zhn-klLU1raa1ScqUz7eQWpuId5qbLxrBR3FOvWQqYwEXlY3IkPtadCoHTd45uxlgQxONhykJoxYzQ9nAT9BB3WnKgyLf8HDt4065HE5eVYuMZAGArqriI1D2OOrEvH-Eu42zL0svGDGcL3QzN2p~z7t7b0b8t~nHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leanne Castillo, director of the Clark County Park District, told the Springfield City Commission on June 30 that the park districts merged last year and the combined entity now manages 33 parks across more than 2,000 acres.

Castillo said the district, legally named the Clark County Park District, operates 13 nature preserves, 52 athletic courts/fields/diamonds, 30 miles of paved trails and 18 playgrounds, and noted the district’s connection to the region’s larger paved-path network. She described recent work including playground and court renovations, a concrete skate park, a pump track, trail improvements and additions to hiking and nature areas.

The presentation summarized recent outputs: about 5,000 programs over the past decade, almost 4,000 shelter rentals, roughly 2,000 trees planted, 86,000 flowers, 17 miles of hiking trails added and 80 acres of prairie restored. Castillo highlighted local partnerships and grant-supported projects, citing community development block grants used for improvements at Davie Moore, Sherman Avenue and Selmer Road parks and a new bridge and Rotary playground at Snyder Park.

Castillo described current priorities as: proactive property management, financial sustainability, law‑enforcement strategies for parks, and outreach to tell the parks’ story to residents. She listed recent and upcoming grant-funded projects, including a Crabill Family Foundation grant for renovations at the Davidson Interpretive Center and Ohio Department of Health funding for a water fit stop. She said some projects (for example, an interpretive center renovation and a Mad River Gorge bridge) are advancing through grant applications and partnership work.

Commissioners thanked Castillo and her staff. Several commissioners expressed personal appreciation for parks and recounted memories and family use. Castillo said the district has a contract to manage city-owned parks and that staff would provide tour dates for commissioners this summer and fall.

The presentation was informational; the commission did not take legislative action at the meeting on park-specific ordinances or funding beyond verbal acknowledgements and thanks.","Leanne Castillo, director of the Clark County Park District, presented the district’s first-year merger update and recent projects, citing inventories, partnerships and grant-funded improvements while answering commissioners’ questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves sidewalk/curb program financing and project contracts; assessments to be levied to properties

Residents press commission on violence, arson and transparency; state pledges support

Commission grants five-year franchise to RiverNorth Transit; city to move to microtransit model amid rising per-ride costs

City presents draft five-year consolidated plan; warns federal cuts to CDBG and HOME would shrink funding

Clark County Park District reviews merger, projects and funding as it manages 33 parks