Update: April 22, 2020
CITY RESPONSE

The City continues to provide essential services and remains accessible to residents, but in a modified form. For Department specific guidance, contact information and additional resources visit the City's web page dedicated to this effort. This page is updated daily.
Use. Trusted. Sources.
Don’t believe every rumor you see online. Remember to use trusted sources.
Follow the links below for reliable and up to date information:


Remember, a call center to answer questions regarding COVID-19 is now open.
The call center will be open 7 days a week from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

1-833-4-ASK-ODH
CLOTH FACE MASKS
The CDC and the Ohio Department of Health strongly recommend that people begin wearing cloth face masks or coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and parks. The links below provide more information on this recommendation.
DONATE. The  Wood County EMA  is collecting donations of cloth masks, N95 masks, and other PPE items for health care workers and first responders. Please drop off at the Wood County Courthouse main entrance and leave with security. Questions? Call: 419-354-9269

Locally,  Grounds for Thought  is coordinating “BG Sews for Health” email bgsews@yahoo.com for more information.
Wood County residents who feel they may have coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraged to complete a survey that will help local public health better track the illness. The survey, a partnership with Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, Futon County Health Department and the University of Toledo, is meant to create a better understanding of COVID-19 in Northwest Ohio. Residents of Wood, Lucas and Fulton counties are asked to report coronavirus symptoms HERE .

“Because our testing capacity is still limited, we’re not able to confirm coronavirus in everyone who thinks they may have it. This is a way for us to get a better picture of how COVID-19 is currently impacting our communities,” said Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey.

People who believe they may be sick with coronavirus are first asked to review CDC’s information about COVID-19 symptoms HERE .

If you have concerns about your condition, contact your health care provider.
USING 911 APPROPRIATELY REGARDING ILLNESS

IF YOU THINK YOU’RE SICK, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
BEFORE you do anything CALL YOUR DOCTOR:  If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Individuals with concerns or flu-like symptoms should call their health care provider first with questions. The Ohio Department of Health has a COVID-19 hotline 1.833.4ASK.ODH

By utilizing 911 for only true emergencies such as fires, motor vehicle accidents, life threatening injuries or medical emergencies such as, but not limited to, a heart attach, severe respiratory symptoms or allergic reactions will reduce the potential exposures to first responders, hospital based healthcare workers, and the general public. Bottom line, utilizing the 911 system for only true emergencies is the best practice at this time.
2020 PRIMARY ELECTION
APRIL 25th - Noon
Application Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail

APRIL 27th
Absentee Ballot (if mailed) must be Postmarked by this date to be counted.

APRIL 28th
Absentee Ballot must be placed in the Board of Elections Drop Box by 7:30 PM to be counted.

For more information, visit the Wood County Board of Elections WEBSITE.
Click HERE to take the 2020 Census!
Recycle Right

As work, school, and daily activities have shifted to home, residential recycling tonnage has increased. Our Public Works Department is committed to continuing safe collection of curbside refuse and recycling. Recyclables are delivered to Republic Services where additional safety measures have been implemented in their sort facilities to protect workers. Residents can help keep these workers safe by recycling right. We ask that you take this time to review the list of accepted materials HERE .  

Most importantly:
  • Do NOT bag your recyclables! Bagged materials require additional handling and in many cases are treated as garbage.
  • Empty and clean your recyclables. Food and beverage left in containers makes it difficult for optical scanners to read and sort the different types of plastic.
  • Gloves, masks, tissues, & wipes are NOT recyclable. Bag these items and place them in your refuse container.
  • Items left outside of containers will not be collected.
  • To avoid litter, drivers are not permitted to empty containers that are open and/or overflowing.

Want more tips? Check out our Recycle Coach app HERE .
Remote Earth Day

It's not the same as a community volunteer activity or event, but below are some resources to help celebrate and recognize this important day!

Looking for ways to help keep our local waterways and Lake Erie clean? Check out the Clear Choices Clean Water website!

National Geographic Earth Day 2020 Magazine : " Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the U.S. and nations around the world have made significant progress in protecting the environment.
However, there is much work to be done, and new challenges have emerged." Examine the progress—and the setbacks—over the past 50 years in this TIMELINE .

The Recycling Partnership has created a  Virtual Earth Day Celebration  – this page is dedicated to online Earth Day content – including tips, facts, games, and more – for residents and communities.

Toledo Zoo Virtual Programs: Looking for something fun for your child to pass the time at home? Toledo Zoo is offering programs to bring the Zoo to you. Their virtual learning experiences will connect you with educators and animal ambassadors at the Zoo through tours or classroom lessons. Planning a vegetable garden this year? Check out their Virtual Gardening "How To" Series: Vegetable Gardens , scheduled for April 29th!

Be sure to unplug and enjoy our parks! The Great Outdoors remains open. There are almost 400 acres of parkland in the City; a park within 1.5 miles of every resident.
Conserve Energy & Water

Spending more time at home and noticing an increase in electricity/water usage? Now's a great time to check out Utility Insights ! 

After creating an account, customers complete a series of questions about their home or small business that can help them to understand their energy and water usage. Answers are used to provide recommendations for reducing usage and saving money. A personal savings plan will be created based off the completed profile & recommendations! Users can then keep track of projects, create a to-do list of the energy and water saving actions they plan to do, mark off which tasks they’ve already completed, and see estimates of how much their efforts can save... MORE .

Our Efficiency Smart program is a great way to implement some of the energy saving recommendations made by the Utility Insights program! Whether you’re looking for rebates to help make energy efficiency projects more affordable or need advice on what improvements are the most cost-effective, Efficiency Smart can help with your energy efficiency needs... MORE

**ALL PARKS REMAIN OPEN**

April Park Board Meeting: Cancelled
Training & Community Center: Closed
Programs & Classes: Postponed or Cancelled
Building Reservations: Suspended Until Further Notice
Wintergarden Nature Center: Closed
Playgrounds: Closed
Public Restrooms: Closed
Skatepark: Closed
Inline Rink: Closed
Horse Shoe Pits: Closed
Basketball Courts: Closed

Check out the Wintergarden/St. John's Woods Facebook Group Page or the BG Virtual Parks & Recreation Community Page for fun activities & ways to stay engaged with our Parks and Rec employees!
Parks & Recreation
Not Closed: The Great Outdoors

You MUST maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others utilizing trails and other public spaces.

Our trails are still open, but please:

  • Avoid crowds.
  • Keep a 6 ft. distance between you and other park users.
  • It is okay to step off the trail to allow distance.
  • When passing, call out, "On your left!", to notify those on the trail in front of you.

During this period of precautionary social distancing, The Great Outdoors remains open. There are almost 400 acres of parkland in the City; a park within 1.5 miles of every resident. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation encourages individuals to explore the parks, get some fresh air, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural world. Playgrounds and public restrooms remain closed.

The Bowling Green Training & Community Center remains closed. Parks and Recreation business may still be conducted online or via phone. Pass holders will be credited for this disruption once the full extent of this fluid situation is known.

Questions? 419.354.6223
FEES WAIVED & EXPANDED USE OF TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL SIGNS ALLOWED
The City continues to look for creative ways to assist the Bowling Green community. In recognizing the challenging times of our local businesses, and as an extension of the emergency declaration, the City will allow the expanded use of temporary signage for commercial businesses. Temporary signage is a good communication tool, and the need to communicate business operations with customers is critical. Therefore, the City of Bowling Green is allowing for a provisional increase in the total number of temporary signs, and is temporarily waiving the permit requirement/fee, minimum setback, and thirty (30) day per year limitation for commercial businesses. A business may have up to three (3) temporary signs, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet in size.  Signs are not permitted in the right-of-way, may not block traffic visibility, and may not contain flashing lights.
In addition, the City is temporarily waiving the fee for downtown businesses submitting permits for A-Frame Sign Usage, Outdoor Dining, and Merchandise Displays on public sidewalks. However, businesses are still required to submit a permit, as the City is required by federal law to ensure the maintenance of a 5’ accessible aisle width and proof of liability insurance. The current regulations of restricting the hours of use to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and the size limitation for A-Frame Signs still apply.

This modified guidance will be in place until December 31, 2020.

Questions may be directed to the Planning Department at (419) 354-6218 or by emailing  planning@bgohio.org .
INCOME TAX
Need help completing your forms?
Call 419.354.6212
The City of Bowling Green is extending the tax filing due date to July 15, 2020 for 2019 tax returns to be in alignment with the IRS and the State of Ohio. Payments of your 2019 tax return and first and second quarter 2020 estimated tax payments are also extended until July 15, 2020 without assessed late penalties or interest.

Employers withholding Bowling Green local tax are still required to remit withholding deductions to the City in the time frames stated in the Ohio Revised Code and Bowling Green City Ordinances.

Thank you to all the taxpayers who have already filed and paid their 2019 tax returns!

Income tax filings may be turned in using the drop box located outside the building or mailed in. Staff will frequently check the drop box throughout the business day (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm).