The Lima City Council sounding off Monday night against the Allen County Commissioners as the commissioners continue to look at different option regarding building department duties.
“If you don’t have specifics in government for solutions or identifying the problem, then its got to come down to politics. Oh let's not bring that elephant into the room, but that is what it is. So I am going to ask everybody involved, Howard, Mayor, Amy, every one of us, lets put service and community first ahead of politics," said Council President John Nixon when he wrapped up the council meeting Monday night.
He called for the Commissioners to meet with city officials to discuss using the Lima Allen County Building Department over Miami county who is trying to set up a regional building department. Public works director Howard Elstro talked council about the improvements they have made in their department regarding fees, turn around time and more certified staff able to approve plans. Allen County officials say there have been people coming to them that saying the city’s building department is holding up local construction. Nixon says the commissioners have yet to talk about specific incidences, just in general terms. He wants the city to have a conversation with the county on the matter before any decision is made to go with Miami County.
“I find that to be very unprofessional and I think if they really do care about building up Allen County, and Lima is a part of Allen County,” added Nixon. “They need to work with the city and get past their politics if that is what is driving this, and come with solutions that would make it better the residents and frankly keep residents tax dollars in the county”
Nixon also said if the county goes with Miami and which could lead to the potential loss of a half a million dollars funding collected through fees, and with that the loss of six jobs. Council will find the money in the city budget to keep the department fully staffed. Council also rejected the proposed parking study proposed by Downtown Lima Inc. until they can come up with more financial support to pay for it.
