Versailles council approves tax levy certification, property-maintenance assessment and PUD actions

Versailles Mayor Todd M. Dammeyer and the Village Council met Aug. 28 and approved a package of routine budget and land-use measures, including an emergency certification of tax rates for 2025 and actions related to the Edgewood at Versailles Phase II residential planned unit development.

Fiscal Officer Kathy Ording explained that Resolution No. 24-41 certifies the amounts and rates determined by the Darke County Budget Commission and authorizes the tax levies the village will forward to the County Auditor for collection in 2025. Following a motion to read the measure a second and third time and to declare an emergency, the council voted to adopt the resolution (motion moved by Mr. Paulus, seconded by Mrs. Dieringer; vote: all yeas).

The council also adopted Resolution No. 24-42, authorizing the village to assess the cost of maintaining properties found in violation of the village weed/high-grass ordinance. Village Administrator Francis and Fiscal Officer Ording explained the resolution’s purpose; the council amended the resolution to correct the ordinance citation from Ordinance No. 06-58 to Ordinance No. 14-25 before reading and adopting the measure (motion moved by Mr. Paulus, seconded by Mr. Griesdorn; vote: all yeas).

Attorney Tom Guillozet read Ordinance No. 24-43 by title only as a first reading; that ordinance would adopt adjusted rates, terms and conditions for village water and sanitary sewer services. The ordinance was introduced at first reading and was not voted on at this meeting.

Council accepted the village’s apportioned Local Government Monies for 2025 as allocated by the Darke County Budget Commission. Fiscal Officer Ording said the village’s share is 4.95%, an estimated $84,941.35. Mr. Paulus moved to accept the apportionment and Ms. Shaffer seconded; the motion carried (all yeas).

On committee recommendations, Council approved procedures for residents to request street-side handicapped parking, adopting the Street & Safety Committee’s application with a revision removing item number 6 (motion moved by Mr. Griesdorn, seconded by Ms. Shaffer; vote: all yeas).

Council acted on three Planning Commission recommendations tied to the Edgewood at Versailles Phase II Residential PUD: it approved withdrawal of the 2022 Phase II PUD, approved a replat of Lot 1040 in Phase II, and approved the 2024 Edgewood at Versailles Phase II Residential PUD (motions moved by Ms. Shaffer and others; votes: all yeas). Council also authorized the Village Administrator to enter into a farm lease agreement with Karen Kettler, Trustee, for 13.3 acres along Day Road (motion moved and seconded by Mr. Steinbrunner; vote: all yeas).

Council entered executive session at 7:24 p.m. to consider purchase and sale of property; it reconvened at 8:06 p.m., and Mayor Dammeyer stated that no decisions were made in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 24-41 (certify tax rates & emergency): adopted, all yeas; Resolution No. 24-42 (assessment of property-maintenance costs, ordinance citation amended to 14-25 & emergency): adopted, all yeas; Ordinance No. 24-43: introduced at first reading (no vote); Local Government Monies apportionment: accepted, all yeas; Street-side handicapped parking procedures: approved, all yeas; Edgewood Phase II items (withdraw 2022 PUD, replat Lot 1040, approve 2024 PUD): approved, all yeas; Farm lease (13.3 acres on Day Road): authorized, all yeas.

The council’s actions will be reflected in the village records and forwarded to the appropriate county offices for levy certification and other administrative follow-up.