Update: April 29, 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.
RESPONSIBLE RESTARTOHIO

Public health experts want us to continue social distancing and recommend wearing masks in public. Please comply with Ohio Department of Health (ODH) orders for the safety of the entire community. The state of Ohio plans to monitor data for the next several weeks before further phases are announced. Click HERE for more information about the state's plan and for specific guidance about the sectors identified below.

  • On May 1, any elective health care procedure may be reinstated if it does not require an overnight stay at the hospital. Dental and veterinary services may also resume.
  • On May 4, any manufacturing, distribution and construction may resume.
  • On May 4, general offices may re-open. The state is seeking cooperation from organizations that can continue to allow work-from-home. 
  • On May 12, retail operations may re-open. This does NOT include daycares, restaurants and salons.
  • Large gatherings (more than 10 people) remain prohibited. 
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
Public health experts want us to continue social distancing and recommend wearing masks in public. Please comply with Ohio Department of Health (ODH) orders for the safety of the entire community. The links below provide more information on wearing/making cloth face coverings:
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.
Click HERE to take the 2020 Census!
HAPPY ARBOR DAY!

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872. Ohio adopted this holiday ten years later and continues to celebrate this important day on the last Friday of April.

In this video, our Arborist, Grant Jones, shares the history of Arbor Day, the benefits of trees, and important tips for planting trees successfully. For more information on the City's Urban Forest, click HERE .
BG Electric: Certificate of Excellence in Reliability

American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is proud to announce that the American Public Power Association (APPA) has presented the City of Bowling Green with a Certificate of Excellence in Reliability.

The Certificate of Excellence in Reliability recognizes utilities that placed in the top 25 percentile of reliability nationwide in 2019, as measured against the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) data. The APPA helps public power systems track outage and restoration data through its eReliability Tracker service and compares the data to national statistics tracked by the EIA. AMP covers the cost of subscription to the eReliability Tracker service for all of its members.

“Bowling Green’s commitment to reliable electric service is commendable,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP president and CEO. “This recognition shows how dedicated Bowling Green Municipal Utilities is to serving its customers.”

For a listing of all recipients & more details on the Certificate of Excellence in Reliability, click HERE .
Tree Commission
2020 Tree Photo Contest

The City of Bowling Green Tree Commission has announced its 3rd annual photo contest. The Commissioners want to raise awareness of Bowling Green’s Urban Forest that is found both on public and private property.

Now's a great time to get some beautiful photos of our trees in bloom! This is also a great social distancing activity!

In 2020 we are asking citizens to submit photos highlighting trees in all four seasons of the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall...... CONTEST DETAILS

Fees, Permits, & Commercial Signs

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..... 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
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).