WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Mount Vernon City Council has approved several pieces of legislation affecting city finances, public works equipment and a proposed residential development on Upper Gilchrist Road.
The largest item involves a Tax Increment Financing agreement for the proposed Residences at Founders Grove development at 12050 Upper Gilchrist Road.
According to Ordinance 2026-23, Residences at Founders Grove, LLC, acquired the property and plans to construct approximately six eight-unit apartment buildings and 156 housing units consisting of two-, four- and six-unit villas, along with related improvements.
The city had previously declared improvements to the property a public purpose and exempted 100 percent of the improvement from real property taxation for 30 years.
The TIF agreement approved by Council establishes how service payments generated through the development will be collected and distributed.
According to the ordinance, those payments can be used for payments to the Mount Vernon City School District and Knox Area Career Center, public improvements associated with the development, payments to the city authorized by law and deposits into the city’s General Fund.
Council approved the TIF agreement on August 10, 2026, and Mayor Matthew Starr signed the ordinance on August 11.
The legislation represents another step toward development of the 156-unit residential project, although the ordinance itself does not establish a construction completion date.
City to Dispose of Public Works Equipment
Council also approved a resolution allowing Mount Vernon to sell or otherwise dispose of three pieces of Public Works equipment that the city says are no longer needed for municipal use.
The equipment includes:
- A Land Pride three-point finish mower, serial number L134140
- A Duraco Dura Patcher, VIN 1D9BB1723DP44152, with 532.1 hours
- A Dink-Mar leaf vacuum, serial number 2010-3070-2, with 3,519.1 hours
Council determined the value of the equipment is in excess of $100,000 and authorized the city’s Safety-Service Director to dispose of the items through a method allowed under Ohio law.
The resolution was declared an emergency measure to expedite the sale or trade of the equipment. Mayor Starr approved the measure on August 11.
$45,000 in City Funds Transferred
A separate resolution authorizes the city’s Auditor to transfer $45,000 among existing General Fund accounts.
The largest transfer is $30,000, moving from the General Fund’s Arbor Plantings account to Arbor Removal/Sidewalks.
Another $15,000 will move from the General Fund’s Infrastructure Improvements account to Networking Systems for internet expenses.
The resolution states the transfers provide appropriations for the city’s current expenses.
Council passed the resolution on August 10, and Mayor Starr approved it August 11.
Together, the three pieces of legislation address a proposed major residential development, the city’s existing public works equipment and adjustments to how city funds are allocated for sidewalks, tree removal and networking expenses.
