Development News for Ironton, Ohio

Troop 106 Celebrates 100th Anniversary and Gets Proclaimed Week in Iron

The council recognized and celebrated the 100th anniversary of Troop 106, a youth organization that has served the Iron community since April 7th, 1926. The week of May 17th through May 23rd, 2026, was designated as Troop 106 week in the city of Iron. The proclamation highlighted the troop's legacy of leadership, character building, and service, noting the achievement of 103 Eagle Scouts and their contributions to various professional fields and civic life. The troop's community service efforts, including involvement in local events and cleanup initiatives, were also acknowledged.

Resident Urges Shift to Electronic Payments Amidst Recurring Bill Pay Issues

A resident raised concerns about the city's payment processing system, citing multiple instances since October where payments made via their bank's bill pay were not received by the city, leading to overdue bills and potential penalties. This issue extends to city tax payments, where a paper check handed to the tax office was apparently never deposited. The resident urged the city to move towards electronic payments (ACH) to avoid such problems, especially for out-of-town property owners. While acknowledging the existence of credit card payment options, the resident noted the associated fees. The city's staff indicated they are exploring electronic payment solutions but have faced challenges integrating them with existing software and finding cost-effective options. Some communities have moved away from electronic payments due to high costs, while others offer free services with a grace period for immediate transactions. Further investigation into integrated systems and costs is ongoing.

Water Meter Issues, Asphalt Repairs, and Rice Property Road Status Discussed

Discussion occurred regarding water meter issues and potential solutions. A resident reported a high water bill and noted the absence of a 'stopple' on a new water meter, preventing the shut-off of the main water supply. Another resident mentioned a $15,000 water bill for a home on Seventh Street, which has since been fixed. It was explained that issues can arise between the city's side and the homeowner's side of the water meter connections, sometimes due to work on one side affecting the other. The possibility of a 'stopple' being before the meter was discussed. Residents also raised concerns about a broken asphalt line across Orchard Street, left by the gas company, and a significant break in the asphalt on Orchard Street at the turn from Second Street, requiring vehicles to swerve into another lane. The status of an emergency road on the Rice property, used for parking during work, was questioned, with the understanding that it might revert to its previous state or become part of sellable lots.

Recreation Levy Tax Revenue Certified; DuPont Settlement Fund Allocation Clarified

Resolution 2632, requesting the county auditor to certify estimated property tax revenue for a renewal recreation levy, was passed. Separately, a discussion about potential funding for infrastructure projects included an update on DuPont settlement funds. While Iron is eligible, a $10 million grant is not yet secured. The total settlement fund was $65 million for communities, and some smaller communities received grants in the $5 million range. It was clarified that the funds are not directly from a lawsuit Iron is a plaintiff in but from an EPA filing. The prioritization for these funds was not entirely clear, but smaller communities and those further along in the planning process, like South Point, received earlier consideration. It was suggested that if other communities do not utilize their full allocations, Iron could potentially receive funds, or additional federal/state grants may become available. The process involves completing the general plan, obtaining EPA approval, conducting testing, and then design, which takes considerable time, allowing for continued funding exploration.