News from BG: March 9, 2022
City of Bowling Green to Conduct Bike Safety Survey

The City of Bowling Green is conducting a Bike Safety Survey in collaboration with Bowling Green State University. The random sample survey will be mailed to 2,085 residents. The purpose of this survey is to collect feedback from community members on transportation habits and bike use. Responses will help the City assess the community’s needs and desires for bicycle infrastructure, such as signs, bike lanes, side-use paths, etc., and will help shape decisions for the future of Bowling Green.

Residents, who receive the survey, are asked to submit a response in the enclosed envelope by March 21st. Responses will be kept confidential. Postage and a return address have been included for convenience. 

As a small token of appreciation for completing the survey, five winners will be selected at random to receive $50 in Downtown Dollars. Downtown Dollars can be used at most downtown Bowling Green businesses, including restaurants and shopping. Those, who wish to be entered in the drawing, will need to include contact information at the end of the survey. 
Questions, comments, or concerns related to this survey may be directed to Emma Snyder by email at semma@bgsu.edu. 
Community Action Plan Micro-Grants: Applications

Due March 15th!

The City of Bowling Green, in an effort to encourage the advancements of the Community Action Plan (CAP), has allocated funds for micro-grants ranging from $500 up to $5,000. Individuals or organizations are encouraged to submit an application that meets the following conditions: advance the principles/ideals of the Community Action Plan, be well planned, demonstrate that funds will be effectively and efficiently used (where possible, show collaboration with others to reduce costs), and explain how receipt of the grant will impact the project. This explanation must be included as part of the grant application.  

Applications are due by March 15, with possible second-round applications due by July 15 (if funds remain). Successful applicants will be required to schedule and attend a City Council meeting following the event to report on the number of attendees, impact, and/or description of successes. 
Clear Choices Clean Water
Clean Up After Your Pet

The connection between our water supply and our pets’ waste might not be obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s trivial. Take a look at the numbers:

An estimated 47% of U.S. households have at least one dog. That amounts to approximately 53 million dogs.
Each of those 53 million dogs produces about 0.75 pounds of waste every day. That equals about 400 pounds of poo every year for every household–about 6.3 BILLION pounds nationally.

But what happens to all that waste? After all, it would fill a space the size of a football field about 800 feet high. If it isn’t picked up and disposed of properly, it could end up in our waterways. That means the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs we play in, get our drinking water from, and more. How does that work? The rain washes it away. Every time it rains, some of the poo left laying around is washed out of the yard, down a storm drain, and into a waterway.
Community Feedback Remaining ARPA Funds

Last Call for Responses! Submit by March 11th

In 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) to help communities recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of $7.3 million has been allocated to the City of Bowling Green.

Residents are encouraged to fill out the Community Feedback Form. The online form has also been made available at a kiosk located at the Wood County Library, 251 N. Main Street, as well as the City’s Community Development Office, located on the 2nd Floor of the City Building, 304 N. Church Street.

Responses may be submitted through March 11, 2022. All responses will be compiled and shared in a final report.
Income Tax Reminders
Need help completing your forms? Call 419-354-6212.
The City of Bowling Green tax filing due date is April 18, 2022 for 2021 tax returns. Payments of your 2021 tax return and first quarter 2022 estimated tax payment are also due April 18, 2022.

The Bowling Green Income Tax Division requires a copy of your Federal tax return (Form 1040) and all W-2s. If you are claiming Bowling Green withholding or a credit for taxes paid to another municipality, your W-2 needs to report this withholding.

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).

Those who are planning to file income tax returns in person are strongly encouraged to do so well in advance of the April 18th deadline in order to avoid long lines.
BGPD Hiring an Entry Level Police Officer
The City of Bowling Green is accepting applications from February 8, 2022 through March 31, 2022 for the classification of Police Officer.

Candidates must take and pass a video, writing, and reading examination through the National Testing Network (NTN) prior to the deadline. Candidates are responsible for registering for the NTN examination, paying any associated fees/costs and submitting their scores. A physical ability test will be required of the candidates who pass the NTN exams and submit their application to the City of Bowling Green by March 31, 2022. 
The City of Bowling Green is currently accepting applications for several open positions. Interested applicants may review current Job Postings and the Application Process on the City's website.

Contact the Human Resources Department if additional assistance is required.
As cases have continued to drop across the U.S., the CDC has provided new guidelines to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on local COVID cases and hospitalizations.

Precautions are recommended based on the level of risk in the community – low, medium or high. Across all levels, people are encouraged to stay up to date on COVID vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.
  • For communities classified as low, no other precautions are advised.
  • For communities classified as medium, people who are at high risk for severe illness, like older adults and individuals with certain health conditions, are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about whether they should wear a mask and take other precautions.
  • For communities classified as high, it is recommended that everyone wear masks indoors in public.

Wood County’s Community COVID Level is currently medium, which means that many people may be without masks in public places. People who are at higher risk, however, may continue to wear masks when they are around others. In addition to this change, updated CDC guidelines no longer require that masks be worn on school buses.

As we adapt to these new guidelines, it’s important to remember that people have different degrees of risk from COVID, so consider others in your decision regarding whether or not to wear a mask. If you are in an environment where no one is wearing masks, feel free to remove your mask if you are comfortable doing so and you are not at high risk from serious illness yourself. If you are around people who are likely to be at higher risk, or who are exercising more caution because they have loved ones who are, show respect for their concerns by wearing a mask yourself.

COVID cases have continued to decline in recent weeks, and many people in our community welcome these new guidelines. Embracing this guidance, while also continuing to be mindful of the needs of those who are at higher risk, is key to enjoying all the things that make our county special while continuing to effectively manage the impact of COVID in our community.
Snow Streets & Snow Emergencies
Snow streets are designated throughout Bowling Green and are marked with blue and white signs. Vehicles parked on a snow street must be removed within 2 hours after a Snow Emergency is declared. If a Snow Emergency is declared overnight, vehicles must be moved by 9AM. Snow Emergencies are typically called for when the City receives 2"+ of snow. Vehicles parked in violation of snow regulations are subject to towing at the owner's expense and/or a citation.....Read More on Snow Emergencies

SNOW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

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