Public forum set for Jan. 31 at OUS

There will be three committee meetings before the regular Ironton City Council meeting tonight.

At 4:45 the Strategic Planning will meet, a Public Utilities meeting at 5 p.m. with a discussion on increasing the city income tax to 2 percent, sludge removal, purchasing a bulldozer and a contract with the Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization.

The Finance Committee will meet immediately after the PUC meeting ends. The regular council meeting begins at 6 p.m.

The council has just three items on their agenda.

First is an ordinance authorizing the finance director John Elam to enter into a three-year contract with Schonhardt & Associates for consulting services in the preparations of the city’s 2018-2019 financial statements. The contract has a maximum of $11,000.

The company assisted in the preparation of the city’s 2017 financial statement and works with 80 other public entities across the State of Ohio on their annual reports.

The second ordinance is amending the temporary city budget.

There is also one resolution on the agenda, which is the approval of a contract with the Ironton-Lawrence CAO to apply for and administer grant funds for the city.

The council has called for a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the Mains Rotunda at Ohio University Southern. The city will have a public forum to discuss the city’s financial situation and raising revenue. If more than three members of council show up at a public meeting, they have to call a special meeting as to not violate Ohio law.

There will be an audience participation segment in which members of the public can ask questions or comment, but speakers will be limited to five minutes so everyone can get an opportunity to speak.

The city council and its committees meet in council chambers on the third floor of the Ironton City Center.