The Council of the city of Oakwood, State of Ohio, met in a work session at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room of the city of Oakwood, 30 Park Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio, 45419. Council then met in a regular session at 7:30 p.m., in the council chambers of the city of Oakwood.

The Mayor, Mr. William Duncan, presided, and the Clerk of Council, Ms. Lori Stacel, recorded. Mayor Duncan opened the meeting by asking all present to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Upon call of the roll, the following members of Council responded to their names:

Officers of the city present were the following:

The following visitors registered:

It was moved by Mrs. Hilton and seconded by Vice Mayor Byington that the absence of Mr. Stephens and Mr. Epley be excused. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.

Mrs. Hilton advised Council she had read the meeting minutes of the March 6, 2017 regular session and work session, and the March 20, 2017 special, executive and work sessions. Mrs. Hilton reported she found the minutes correct and complete. Therefore, it was moved by Mrs. Hilton and seconded by Vice Mayor Byington that the minutes of the sessions of Council aforementioned be approved as written and the reading thereof at this session be dispensed with. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.

Proclamation – Mayor Duncan read a proclamation designating April as “Autism Awareness Month.”

Mayor Duncan shared that the 2017 Budget includes a $550,000 reduction in income tax revenue to anticipate the negative effects of Ohio House Bill 5. There will also be a reduction in tax receipts because of numerous surrounding cities increasing their income tax rates. Through the first three months of 2017, Oakwood’s actual income tax receipts are $272,000 lower than what they were in 2016. This is possibly the worst quarter for income tax receipts that Oakwood has ever seen. Most of the annual receipts are received in April, so Mayor Duncan will be providing an update at the May City Council meeting.

Oakwood and numerous other cities and villages across Ohio oppose and denounce Governor Kasich’s proposed centralized collection of municipal income tax returns and other tax provisions that would be detrimental to local governments. The Ohio Society of CPA’s (OSCPA) supports the centralized collection, but several CPA’s have written comments at the OSCPA website against centralized collection of net profit tax returns. The Oakwood Citizen Budget Review Committee will be meeting on Monday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss this issue. Senator Peggy Lehner and State Representative Jim Butler have been invited to this meeting.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.