​Today, Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler made the difficult decision to postpone Bellefontaine’s Bicentennial Celebration. The event, which was planned for Saturday, August 29th, will be moved to 2021 with a date not yet determined.  Plans have been in progress for the better part of a year to prepare for this event. 

“This was a hard call to make. Many in our community were looking forward to a good old fashioned downtown block party to celebrate our proud heritage. It’s unfortunate that the coronavirus has affected so much of our daily lives, but I believe it’s best to err on the side of caution” Stahler says.  “In the end, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.”   

In recent weeks, Logan County has experienced a rise in coronavirus cases.  Just days ago, there were 71 active reported positive Covid-19 cases, up from the average of 28. There are also currently seven people are hospitalized, when two was the previous average.  According to Logan County Health Commissioner Boyd Hoddinott, our county has met indicators for new cases per capita, sustained increase in new cases, proportion of case not in a congregative setting, and increase in hospital admissions. This puts Logan County on track to become a Level 3 (Red).

Plans for the big event included: a variety of live music performances on stage, an antique car show, 12 food trucks in the downtown area, actors portraying historic figures from our past, an historic drone photo from above, a laser light show and much more.

The Mayor remains confident that, as we continue to wear masks and maintain our social distancing, Logan County can make a significant difference in combatting the spread of the virus.

In addition to the postponement of the Bicentennial events on Aug. 28-29, the DORA event has also been postponed.

There will be a meeting of the Records Commission on Wednesday, August 19th at 2pm in the City of Bellefontaine's Council Chambers.

The agenda will include the following:

1. Reviewing RC3's
2. Setting Date for Destruction
3. Miscellaneous

In order to limit potential exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Bellefontaine offices are closed to walk-in traffic.  Utility payments can be made through our website at www.ci.bellefontaine.oh.us.   Payments can also be made using the drop-box at the southwest corner of the City Building parking lot, by mail, or direct bill payments (ACH) that can be established.  This form is available on the City of Bellefontaine Utilities website page.
 
For new service, there are application packets located at the drop-box in the City Building parking lot or please call the office at 937-592-3561 to allow access to the front lobby of the  building.  The forms are also available on this website.  Please complete the application and the additional forms (refuse/trash subscription and the Income Tax household information) included, return them to the drop-box along with a copy of your driver’s license  - or email them to: utilities@ci.bellefontaine.oh.us.  Please include any required deposits for leased properties.  Additional service requests will be completed only for a priority-as needed situation.
 
The order to discontinue delinquent account shutoffs has been lifted as of July 10, 2020.  All accounts that are 45 days or more are subject to disconnection.  Please contact the office regarding any past due balances and to make payment arrangements. 

For any questions regarding new or existing service, please call us at 937-592-3561.

Bellefontaine's Updated 2020 First Fridays Event Schedule and details will be made available at FirstFridaysBellefontaine.com.

​The Annual Bellefontaine Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled by the American Legion Harold Kerr Post #173. The Post will hold a private ceremony to remember, honor, and mourn the military personnel who died serving the United States of America. 

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person.  The virus is spread between individuals who are in close contact with each other (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  It may be possible that individuals can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes; and

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, determined and declared that a public health emergency exists in the United States in relation to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine, signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for the entire State of Ohio in relation to COVID-19 pursuant to the Governor’s authority vested in him by the Constitution, the laws of the State of Ohio and in accordance with Revised Code section 5502.22; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for the entire State of Ohio urged all citizens to heed to the advice of the Department of Health and other emergency officials regarding COVID-19 in order to protect their health and safety; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a National Emergency, invoking the Stafford Act and allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster response and aid state and local governments in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the CDC has advised those that have possible or confirmed COVID-19 to stay home from work, school, and away from other public places; and

WHEREAS, the State of Ohio government, under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, has adopted necessary and bold preventive and proactive measures to slow the spread of the virus and treat those affected; and 

WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, Dr. Amy Acton ordered that all persons stay home or their place of residence unless they are engaged in Essential Activities, Essential Government Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses or Operations as set forth in said order until May 1, 2020.

WHEREAS, as of April 6, 2020, five (5) residents of Logan County have tested positive for COVID-19; and 

WHEREAS, in the City of Bellefontaine and across Logan County there is a current threat of an acutely hazardous disease, illness, or health condition; specifically, COVID-19, that is believed to be caused by the appearance of a novel infectious agent; and

WHEREAS, in the City of Bellefontaine, this threat has already impacted the daily lives of the citizens of the City of Bellefontaine and, the need for citizens and City of Bellefontaine employees to stay home from work and other public places should they be exposed to the virus substantially impairs the functioning of city government and its ability to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the City of Bellefontaine

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ben Stahler, Mayor of the City of Bellefontaine, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Ohio Constitution, the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, and Section 733.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, do hereby order and direct that: 

1. A State of Emergency is declared for the entire City of Bellefontaine to protect the lives and well-being of the citizens of the City as well as those who work, attend school, and visit the City, from the dangerous effects of COVID-19.
2. I hereby suspend purchasing and contracting requirements pursuant to the City of Bellefontaine Procurement and Purchasing Policy to allow for entering into contracts for the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, construction or service in order to procure any necessary resources or supplies to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Bellefontaine.
3. I further suspend all regulatory provisions of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine as necessary to allow for the continued ability of the City to meet payroll, process insurance benefits, and pay vendors during the time of the emergency.
4. The City apply for emergency public assistance funds resulting from the National Emergency declared on March 13, 2020.

I signed this Mayoral Proclamation and Executive Orders on April 6, 2020 in Bellefontaine, Ohio and it shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect until the emergency no longer exists, such time to be determined by the Governor of the State of Ohio as determined by the Director of Health of the State of Ohio and the Executive Director of the Emergency Management Agency of the State of Ohio.

Ben Stahler
Mayor
Bellefontaine, Ohio

Yesterday, the Governor announced that Ohio’s Stay-At-Home Order has been extended through May 1, 2020. 

Like most of the United States, we know that these are truly difficult and challenging times.  Medical experts are saying that while we have not yet reached the peak of this pandemic event, the efforts we’re making to avoid standing near others is very important, and it is already making a difference.

While Logan County’s number of positive cases remain relatively low, we are still treating this as the “calm before the storm”. 

All city departments are in operation maintaining essential services to our community.  Our frontline associates include paramedics, firefighters, and police officers.  Additionally, we are thankful for our community’s doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers for their dedication to the task at hand. 

We ask for your patience and understanding during this critical phase of the spread COVID-19. Please reach out to our most vulnerable citizens to assist them.  Continue to sanitize your hands, your work spaces and help others to appreciate the reasons that we keep a safe distance.  These efforts ARE saving lives.  Let’s help one another and all be a part of the solution.  We will get through this TOGETHER! Thank you! #ohiostrong #shoplocal
 
Ben Stahler
Mayor
Bellefontaine, Ohio

PAYMENTS CAN ALSO BE MADE USING THE DROP BOX AT THE BACK SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT, BY MAIL, OR DIRECT BILL PAYMENTS (ACH) THAT CAN BE ESTABLISHED. (CLICK THE GREEN LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE FORM.)
 
FOR NEW SERVICE, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AT 937-592-3561 TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE FRONT LOBBY OF THE CITY BUILDING, OR AGAIN, THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE. YOUR SIGNATURE WILL NEED TO BE NOTARZIED, AND PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE.  IN ADDITION,  COMPLETE THE REFUSE SIGNUP FORM AND MAIL THE FORMS OR EMAIL THEM TO: utilities@ci.bellefontaine.oh.us

ANY REQUIRED DEPOSIT FOR LEASED PROPERTIES WILL BE BILLED TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUESTS WILL BE COMPLETED ONLY FOR A PRIORITY-AS NEEDED SITUATION.