Mayor Duncan invited Ms. Malusky-Krauss to share some information about the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE.)

Ms. Malusky-Krauss shared that her team is proud to be the chapter that was recognized as small market chapter of the year. She thanked Chapter Vice President Detective Bell and the leadership team for their service. She then commented on the chapter's achievements, including promoting better fraud detection, providing training events, and creating networking opportunities. Ms. Malusky-Krauss thanked the city of Oakwood for placing a high priority on the topic of fraud, and for declaring next week Fraud Awareness Week so that everyone in the community is more aware of the issues.

Scarecrow Row Award Winners – Mayor Duncan recognized the following 2023 Scarecrow Row Award winners: Third Place – “Ghouling to the Chapel” by the Angel/Pohlman Wedding Group at Patterson Road and Shafor Boulevard; Second Place – “The Lumberjack” by the Cahoon, Kraczek and Patrick Families – at Telford and Shafor Boulevard; First Place – “Peaches, Peaches, Peaches” by the Woodview Crew – at Greenmount Boulevard and Shafor Boulevard; and Mayor’s Award – “ ‘Howl’ Oween” – a Howling Good Time by the Oakwood Beautification Committee at Peach Orchard and Shafor Boulevard.

Mayor Duncan thanked the groups of scarecrow builders and the judges for their participation in the event.

Judge Margaret Quinn thanked City Council and city staff for conducting such a fun community event.

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

Vice Mayor Byington explained that this resolution is the first legislative step towards placing a new levy on the ballot in March 2024. Council had originally planned to place this levy on the ballot for the election taking place tomorrow. It would have been a renewal of an existing 3.75 mill levy that was first approved by Oakwood voters in 2013. Unfortunately, the issue was not approved for the ballot by the Board of Elections due to a clerical error. As a result, the existing 3.75 mill levy will expire at the end of 2023 and Council will place a new replacement levy on the ballot in March of 2024. The exact millage rate for the new levy is not known at this time. The Montgomery County Auditor will determine the rate so that the new levy will generate the same amount of revenue as the expiring levy, meaning it will not raise property taxes above what is currently paid. The current effective millage rate of the expiring levy is 3.03. Council anticipates that the millage rate for the replacement levy will be lower than 3.03 due to strong property valuations in Oakwood. The second piece of legislation for this levy will be on the agenda for Council’s December meeting.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mrs. Hilton that the resolution be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said resolution was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.