News from BG: March 10, 2021
STATE OF THE CITY
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Project Team invites you to view this year's, pre-recorded, State of the City Address, delivered by Mayor Mike Aspacher:
INCOME TAX
Need help completing your forms?
Call 419.354.6212
The City of Bowling Green tax filing due date is April 15, 2021 for 2020 tax returns. Payments of your 2020 tax return and first quarter 2021 estimated tax payment are also due April 15, 2021.

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 15th deadline in order to avoid long lines.
BGSU to Host Electronic Waste Recycling Drive

BGSU's Office of Campus Sustainability has partnered with its certified electronic waste recycling provider, AIM Ecycling, to provide residents of the City of Bowling Green and the surrounding community with a free, safe, and environmentally-responsible way to dispose of their unwanted and/or outdated electronics.

All electronics, except tube TVs & CRT monitors, will be accepted free of charge! Drive in, drop off, drive out- it's that easy!

Saturday, March 13th,
9am - 1pm
BGSU Ice Arena Parking Lot (north side, off Mercer Rd)

For full details, click HERE or contact: Dr. Nick Hennessy - BGSU Sustainability Manager
nickjh@bgsu.edu
BG Pursues Remedies for Increase - Natural Gas Bills

Current participants of the City's natural gas aggregation program will see an increase in their bill from Volunteer Energy Services Inc. for natural gas consumed during the February usage period, and the City is pursuing remedies to the situation.
Volunteer Energy Services Inc. is the competitive retail gas supplier that provides the natural gas that is delivered to the aggregation participants. 

Volunteer Energy has already begun to send out the March bills, which include an additional charge of $0.91 per Mcf. Volunteer Energy’s rationale for the increased charge is that, due to the extreme cold during the period of Feb. 5-Feb. 20, 2021, they were forced to purchase significant quantities of natural gas from the spot market to meet increased customer demand and that the cost of those purchases was significantly higher than normal. Volunteer Energy has stated that this additional increase in rate would be for one month only.

As the natural gas program aggregator for customers in Bowling Green, the City does not agree that Volunteer Energy has the ability to increase customers’ rates in this manner....MORE
Wild Ones Provides Free Native Garden Plans

Lawn and garden activities can contaminate stormwater with pesticide, soil, and fertilizer runoff. Proper
landscape management effectively reduces water use and contaminants that pollute our streams and eventually travel to Lake Erie. Through careful planning and design, environmentally-friendly landscape management can protect the environment with use of practical turf areas and mulches, appropriate plant
selection, efficient water use, and maintenance. Native plants also provide valuable food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Do you want to start your first native garden this spring but don’t know where to begin? No fear, Wild Ones can help! They have FREE, beautiful, professionally designed, native garden plans you can download. Click HERE to get started!

Access additional local resources and learn more about how planting natives in our landscapes helps local water quality HERE.
PILOT RESIDENTIAL FOOD WASTE DROP OFF
To help reduce the amount of food waste being sent to landfills, the City of Bowling Green is launching a 6-month Pilot Residential Food Waste Drop Off. The Drop Off will be available to Bowling Green residents beginning Friday, March 26, 2021. The City is working with GoZero to place 64-gallon containers behind the Public Works garage, near the public Yard Waste Drop Off, on Tarragon Drive.

The area will be clearly marked with signs identifying where to drop off residential food waste and brochures will be available listing the accepted materials and program guidelines....MORE
WEEKLY UPDATE
COVID-19 Vaccines:

  • Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines has expanded recently.
  • Those eligible now include people who are age 60 or older, as well as:
  • Anyone who is pregnant, or is living with type 1 diabetes, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or who has received a bone marrow transplant.
  • Those who work in childcare services, funeral services, law enforcement or corrections.
  • Starting Thursday, this will also include:
  • People age 50 or older
  • Anyone younger who has type 2 diabetes or end-stage renal disease.
  • We’re working to adjust some existing vaccine appointments within ArmorVax to allow people who will be newly eligible Thursday to register.
  • To review vaccine eligibility guidelines and updates, click HERE or call 419-823-9512.

  • School employees around Wood County will receive second doses of vaccine on Friday. Many schools will have a remote learning day.

  • Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived for the first time recently and are being given this week to members of Phase 1C and other recipients.
  • This is a one-dose vaccine.
  • All three vaccines that are currently available are safe and effective, and provide strong protection against serious COVID-19 illness.
  • Get more information from CDC.

  • Vaccine appointments are available now with several local providers.
  • Get contact information for vaccine providers, and what we know about how they schedule appointments, HERE
  • To hear a recorded message about Wood County’s vaccine campaign, call 419-823-9528.
  • Some local providers, like Wood County Health Department, Mercy Health and Wood County Hospital, make additional appointments available starting at noon on Fridays.

  • We’re partnering with Wood County Committee on Aging to provide vaccination at home for seniors who need it.
  • Being homebound means a person does not leave his or her home under normal circumstances or without assistance from others.
  • Call Wood County Committee on Aging at 1-800-367-4935 to make arrangements. Once you’ve connected with the Committee on Aging, the Health Department will contact you.