Murals painted for a contest will add to Wayne County’s attractions for visitors.
Mary Walker, the executive director of the Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau, spoke about the murals Aug. 7 when presenting her 2025 budget to Wayne County Council. The murals are on schedule to be completed by the end of August, and after that, 10 will be judged for the contest, with first, second and third places awarded. Community members helped paint an 11th mural, which is in Dublin.
“They really are wonderful works of art, and they add so much to the area and district,” Walker said.
The murals brighten up the community, building pride in citizens and attracting visitors, she said.
Visitors injected $160 million into the county’s economy during 2022, according to Walker. That total was 89% more than a decade earlier, when there was $84.6 million spent by visitors in the county. Walker said that statistic indicates tourism is “alive and well” in Wayne County.
Walker also had good news for her budget: The bureau’s debt service ends at the end of this year. She presented a $1,213,230 budget that’s completely funded by the innkeeper’s tax on those staying in Wayne County lodgings. The 2024 budget was $958,660, with the debt service at $40,840.
Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, also presented her $802,973.50 budget, which is a 3.5% increase from the $775,594.77 budget for 2024. The bulk of the increase is in personnel services, including pay raises.
Shaffer highlighted the EDC’s work with seven companies that are investing $470 million in Wayne County and creating 271 new jobs.
The EDC’s operating budget comes from communities contributing economic development income tax receipts to a consolidated EDIT fund. During Aug. 7 meetings, council and the county’s commissioners approved continuing to contribute half of the county’s EDIT money into consolidated EDIT.
Sheriff Randy Retter was the third to present budgets. In his enforcement division budget, he requested increases for ballistic vests, to equip five new vehicles and for electronic control devices. Expenses for inmate health care were among increases in the jail budget.
SugarCreek expansion
SugarCreek Packing Company has applied for a tax abatement based on an investment in manufacturing equipment.
Council member Tony Gillam said the request is for a regular 10-year abatement and that the equipment would retain 592 employees and create 20 jobs. The new jobs would boost SugarCreek’s $33 million payroll by about $840,000.
The three-member tax abatement committee unanimously voted to recommend the full council approve SugarCreek’s request.
Baker Tilly
Council is considering use of Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors to analyze the county’s financial plan.
The report would provide projections for local income tax collections and future impacts of employee pay raises. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters later suggested that the analysis should include collecting income tax from Wayne County workers who live in Ohio.
Jason Semler of Baker Tilly said county officials would see a draft report to evaluate assumptions made before the final report is completed.
Health department
Council approved a $3.75 per hour wage increase for Dan Burk, who has assumed overall supervisory responsibility for the Wayne County Health Department in the absence of an executive director or clinical director.
On July 3, Burk had a $3,244.80 salary increase approved because he had been supervising the environmental department.
A version of this article appeared in the August 14 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.