NEWS

Special council meeting hopes to quell equipment flap

Gazette staff

CHILLICOTHE – City officials hope to resolve a dispute regarding city equipment with a special City Council meeting Monday.

The meeting, which Mayor Jack Everson called Friday, is set for 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers at 26 S. Paint St.

The only legislation on the agenda is the first reading of an emergency ordinance authorizing the public auction of 22 pieces of city owned equipment that has been declared obsolete or unfit for use.

The issue became a hot topic after 35 items were reviewed by the city and deemed unfit or obsolete. City Councilman Tom Trutschel then told Parks and Recreation Director Dave Tener he could dispose of the equipment, a move he now says was incorrect.

Houser & Son Farm Equipment, of Kingston, took all but six of those items to its location on Ohio 159. Al Houser, owner of the business, has repeatedly stated that he did nothing wrong.

The Ohio Revised Code says if the estimated value of property is $1,000 or more, it has to go out for bid or be put up for auction after being approved by City Council, but that did not occur, city officials have acknowledged.

Monday’s action would be an attempt to rectify the error.

In other news:

•The Ross County commissioners will meet in regular session, beginning at 9 a.m. in their office at the Ross County Courthouse. The commissioners will first meet, at 9:30, with an American Electric Power contractor regarding easement approvals. At 10 a.m., the commissioners will meet with staff members from South Central Ohio Job and Family Serivces and, at 11:30, will meet with an insurance representative.