From the City Manager Dear Mason Resident, It is a pleasure for me to work with a council that appreciates the value of collaboration. Mason has a track record of conservative development practices that leverage collaborative regional efforts to provide efficient and effective services to residents and businesses. These efforts are evident at Mason Community Center, where our partnership with Group Health and AssureX contribute to the financial success at the center. This helps keep our membership rates at competitive levels, benefitting everyone who visits. Fourteen years ago, the city began collaborating with Greater Cincinnati Water Works by augmenting the city water supply with water purchased from GCWW. That partnership has grown to where GCWW now supplies clean drinking water to the entire city and provides billing services for city utilities. The city has frequent contact with GCWW to ensure continued quality service to Mason residents. At about the same time, city leaders began a collaborative effort with Mason City Schools to provide quality education and recreation facilities to the community. With the approval of voters and a unique agreement between the city and school district, the district built Mason High School and Mason Community Center on city-owned land. The Eric Hansen city operates the community center and the competition pool and field house are shared with the schools. Collaborations with townships include a partnership with Liberty Township (and the City of Middletown) on a City Manager Joint Economic Development District ( J.E.D.D), with Symmes and Sycamore Townships (and the cities of Blue Ash, Loveland, and Sharonville) in the Northeast Fire Collaborative to pool resources for training and purchasing power, and with Deerfield Township to place CenterPoint, Mason Matters, and Deerfield Digest in one publication where they are accessible to all area residents. Mason has also collaborated with the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District for stormwater inspections and educational efforts. In addition, Mason works with the Warren County Transportation Improvement District, the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI), the Warren County Engineer’s Office, Deerfield Township, and the State of Ohio to plan the regional infrastructure, including plans for a full Western Row Interchange on I-71. Working together allows all the partners to achieve successes that could not be realized individually. An inscription on one of the floor tiles in the atrium at Mason Municipal Center continually reminds me of the importance of collaboration. The tile has this quote from Helen Keller: Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.
We appreciate your calls, visits and e-mails to Mason Municipal Center to discuss what is going on in the city. I encourage you to call 513.229.8500 or stop in any time during business hours if you need information or assistance. Mason Matters is published by the City of Mason. For information about this publication, or if you are a Mason resident and do not receive this newsletter, either through OurTown magazine or mailed separately with the CenterPoint program guide, please contact the City of Mason at 513.229.8510.
City Of Mason - Contact Information
6000 Mason-Montgomery Road • Mason, Ohio 45040 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
513.229.8500 • www.imaginemason.org Main Number 513.229.8500
Parks & Recreation 513.229.8555
City Hotlines 513.229.8502
Police Department Administration 513.229.8560
Administration 513.229.8510
Mason Matters
Community Center 513.229.8555
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Emergency 9.1.1 Engineering & Building 513.229.8520 Finance 513.229.8530 Fire Department Administration 513.229.8540 April / May 2014
Public Utilities 513.229.8570 Public Works 513.229.8580 Tax Office 513.229.8535 Utility Customer Service 513.229.8533 Utility Billing Questions Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700
Utility Service Questions: Sewer Service and Emergencies 513.229.8570 nights, holidays & weekends, emergencies only
513.925.2525 Stormwater 513.229.8570 Waste Collection and Recycling 513.229.8533 Water Service and Emergencies Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700
City Tax Returns Due April 15
Reminder Voter-approved changes to the tax ordinance took effect in 2013, so your form is different this year. Please see www.imaginemason.org for information. Tax Office Extended Hours Saturday, April 12 8 a.m. - noon Tuesday, April 15 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Ways to File • Use the Online Tax Tool: www.imaginemason.org/services/ tax-information.cfm • Use the EZ fillable form if you have W-2 income only: www.imaginemason.org/services/tax-information.cfm • Print off a paper form and instructions: www.imaginemason.org/services/tax-information/ tax-forms-for-individuals.cfm • Pick up a paper form: Mason Municipal Center, Mason Community Center, Mason Public Library Get Help with Your Return Visit the Customer Service Center at Mason Municipal Center Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Or during extended hours listed above