Mount Vernon council backs renewal of State Capital Improvement Program funding

Mount Vernon City Council on third reading adopted a nonbinding resolution urging voters to renew the State Capital Improvement Program, commonly administered through the Ohio Public Works Commission, on the May 6, 2025 ballot.

Supporters told council the program has funded local street, water and sewer projects and that passage would preserve a state grant source rather than create a new tax. "This is not a new tax," Councilman Severance said during committee discussion. "This is just renewal of making funds available to cities like us, townships." Mayor Starr added the program has funded thousands of projects statewide since 1987 and called it a bipartisan, long‑running mechanism for capital grants.

Why it matters: SCIP grants reduce the need for local governments to use federal funds — and the federal environmental and real‑estate processes that sometimes accompany them — making smaller infrastructure projects easier for townships and small cities to deliver. During the committee discussion members listed recent local awards drawn from the program: $200,000 for sanitary sewer and water improvements on Stump Street and Northview Drive; $700,000 plus a loan of more than $2,500,000 for Fairgrounds Road utilities and resurfacing; $364,000 for West High and Sandusky Street work; $338,000 for North Main and Chestnut modifications; and $450,000 for the South Main and Parrot intersection.

Council and administration described outreach and education plans if council formally expresses support. The mayor said city staff will include the measure in the state‑of‑the‑city presentation, use press releases and social media, request that the Ohio Municipal League include Mount Vernon’s resolution in a statewide packet of community endorsements, and consider placing informational signs at OPWC‑funded project sites. Staff also noted a state‑level political action committee and partner organization will run broader educational efforts.

Council action: The council moved and approved the resolution supporting Issue 2. The measure is advisory and does not obligate the city to spend money or to campaign; speakers repeatedly noted local officials cannot use city funds for campaign activities but may provide factual information to residents.

What’s next: The resolution is meant to encourage turnout for the May 6, 2025 ballot renewal. If voters approve Issue 2, the city could apply for future SCIP grants for road, sewer, water and other infrastructure projects.