The city of West Carrollton is seeking vendors for a new Farmer’s Market planned for 833 E. Central Ave.

The vacant lot, formerly a McDonald’s restaurant site, is owned by the city. “We’ve received several requests in the past few years from residents who were interested in a local market for fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Brad Townsend, city manager.

“This seemed like the ideal location because it’s easily accessible and has right the combination of green space and pavement for parking,” he said.According to statistics from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, about 13,000 vehicles pass the site each day.

The market will begin on May 28 and continue through October - open each Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Fred Bussard, a 42-year member of the West Carrollton Fire Department, retired Jan. 1, 2013.

Bussard, who joined the department in 1970 as a volunteer firefighter, was recognized for his service by the city council on Jan. 22.

“A couple of people that I knew from high school joined, so I decided to get involved too,” he said. Bussard eventually earned Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, and later became a lieutenant in the department.

When I first started, there was just one station on Locust Street,” he said. “People kept their gear in their cars and responded from home.”

During its Jan. 22 meeting, the West Carrollton city council unanimously approved an initiative to place ¼ percent, 5-year renewable, income tax increase on the May 7 ballot.

If approved, the city’s new income tax rate of 2.25 percent amount would be the same as the cities of Dayton, Miamisburg, Kettering and Trotwood. The increase would not affect retirees, residents receiving unemployment or disability, or those residents working in cities with the same or higher income tax.

The increase would generate about $600,000 – which is most of the $670,000 revenue loss the city experienced in 2012 – due to $330,000 in state budget cuts and $340,000 from the elimination of 330 jobs at Appleton.

During the past decade, the city of West Carrollton has strived to maintain a balanced budget, despite decreasing revenue. However, the city will use approximately $330,000 in reserve funds to balance the 2013 budget.