By Martha B. Jacob –

The Aberdeen Village Council met in regular session March 2 in the city building.
The new fiscal officer, Karen Campbell took her place at the meeting with all members of council present as well as solicitor David Grimes.
During the reading of the minutes from a finance committee led by chair Charles Merril II, he told council that he would rather see a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for the village employees instead of a set dollar amount. He said he felt it would be better in order to balance the budget.
As council members reviewed the bills to be paid, Councilwoman Billie Eitel questioned the payment to the State of Ohio for $6,894. Campbell stated that the figure wa the sewer payment that was due in January 2017.
Following payment of the bills, Mayor Phillips informed council that there was $921 paid to the State of Ohio and the village received $5,758 for the February Mayor’s Court.
Mayor Phillips also told council that he would be scheduling a meeting with the Brown County Commissioners and Brown County economic development director, Kelly Cole regarding the deterioration of the streets and offices.
A meeting has also been scheduled for March 9, to meet with Robert Cantrell, owner of the 1st Stop to discuss how he could help the village.
Fiscal Officer  Campbell gave her report to council.
“Our police chief Fred Hampton has received a questionnaire from Mike DeWine’s office, attorney general,” Campbell said, “it is in regard to the State of Ohio collection of Mayor’s Court unpaid fines. Chief Hampton felt this would be very useful in collecting past due fines for the village. Mayor Phillips believed there were a large amount in unpaid fines.”
Councilwoman Eitel recommended allowing Campbell and Chief Hampton to complete the paperwork for the attorney general’s office collections. The recommendation was approved by council.
Campbell also asked council to transfer funds in five line items, which council approved.
The fiscal officer also asked council to approve the 2017 Final Appropriations Resolution for 2017 which must be submitted to the county auditor’s office by march 31, 2017.
Finance Committee chair Merill informed council that his committee is working on getting line items adjusted to be able to know what is actually being spent each year. He suggested that all spending be stopped until the committee knows what the true budget will look like for 2017.
Council did approve the final appropriations.
Police Chief Hampton reported to council that repairs were needed on the K9 vehicle and that he had purchased armor vests for his officers.
Delbert Hester, administrator reported that the emergency sirens did not go off during the recent storms. He said he would work on getting them repaired.
Councilwoman Shari Lang-Stafford reported to council that she has been unable to locate the deed to the school, which is needed to file for state and federal grants. Solicitor Grimes said he would work on finding the deed.