Frequently Asked Questions

Please send invoices to:
City of Sidney
201 W Poplar Street
Sidney, OH 45365

Generally, accounts payable checks are written once a week. The City’s policy is that all invoices approved for payment will be paid within 30 days of receipt unless contractual terms provide otherwise.

The Finance Department is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Yes. To obtain a copy of the “Blanket Certificate of Exemption” for the City, please call Accounts Payable at 937-498-8147.

• All Sidney residents and partial-year residents ages 18 and over
• Retired residents if they have a rental, business or other income taxable to Sidney
• Every business entity that conducts business within the City of Sidney
• Every non-resident who engages in business or other activity within the City of Sidney, including, but not limited to the rental of real or personal property. Non-residents who are employed within the City of Sidney, but whose Sidney City income tax is not fully withheld by their employer, must also file a return.

Exemption

Retired or permanently disabled individuals who have no wages, rental, business or other income taxable to Sidney may obtain exemption from filing a Sidney tax return. To receive exemption, complete a one-time Exemption Form (with a copy of page 1 of your Federal Form 1040, if applicable) and submit to our office. 

Please note that if your status changes and you again become employed or earn Sidney taxable income, you will be required to file a Sidney tax return for any full/partial year in which such income is earned. There is no age limit, according to the Ohio Revised Code, for paying municipal taxes on otherwise taxable earned income.

While not all-inclusive, generally you must file and pay quarterly estimated tax payments if any of the following applies to you:

• You are a Sidney resident and earn compensation outside of Sidney that was not subject to taxation by another municipality or you earned compensation in a municipality with a municipal income tax rate of less than 1.75%
• You are a Sidney resident and are self-employed (filing a Schedule C on your Federal tax return) or receive a Form 1099
• You are a not a Sidney resident but had self-employment income earned in Sidney
• You have any similar type of situation where your income is not fully withheld upon (at 1.75%) and you would have a tax balance due to Sidney

  
  

• For individuals with tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, quarterly estimates are due on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and January15.
• For businesses (those filing using their Federal ID number), quarterly estimates are due on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. 
• Estimated payments for fiscal year businesses are due on the 15th day of the fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth months after the beginning of their taxable year.

To avoid being assessed an underestimation penalty, you must pay in the lesser of:

• 90% of the current tax year’s tax liability (through withholdings, estimated payments, or prior year overpayments)
• 100% of the prior year’s tax liability (through withholdings, estimated payments, or prior year overpayments). 

Contact our office for more assistance in calculating this amount.

We will gladly help you prepare your return for you, and there is no charge for this service. Simply bring your tax records (e.g. Federal 1040, all W-2’s, 1099-Misc, and other Federal schedules) and this package to our office. We highly recommend having your return prepared by our staff prior to March 31. Waiting until after this date may result in long lines or extended waiting for our office staff to assist with the preparation of your return.

Being a student has no effect on your Sidney income tax liability. All those age 18 years or older are subject to Sidney income tax on their Sidney taxable income.

The first page of your Federal Form 1040 is required to be attached to be considered a “complete” return.

Yes, anyone having a rental property located in Sidney is required to file a return and include a copy of their Schedule E or applicable schedule of income and expenses for the rental. A return is required each year even though losses may have been incurred. Also, any Sidney residents having rental properties are required to file on those properties no matter where the properties are located.

Business/rental losses may not be used to offset salaries, wages, commissions or other compensation. If a taxpayer is engaged in two or more taxable business activities to be included in the same return, the net loss of one business activity (not reportable to another municipality) may be used to offset the profits of another for purposes of arriving at overall net profits or net operating loss. Net operating losses may be carried forward and utilized for up to five years.

Sidney levies its 1.50% income tax on “qualifying wages”. In terms of which box on your Form W-2 represents “qualifying wages” for Sidney income tax purposes, it is generally the larger of Box 5 or Box 18. If your W-2’s are marked “various” or “all cities” in the Local Tax Withheld Line, you should request an itemized breakdown by city from your employer(s). You must attach this to your return. If you have questions, please contact our office.

Yes, credit is allowed for taxes paid to another city. The allowable credit is 1.50% of the amount paid to the other city.

Individuals and calendar-year businesses are required to file by April 15th. Fiscal-year businesses are required to file on the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of their fiscal year.

• For tax years after December 31, 2023, the late filing penalty is $25 after the due date (or extended due date, if applicable).
• Failure to pay taxes when due will result in penalty and interest to be assessed from the original due date.

Please refer to the most recent City of Sidney Fee Schedule for updated rates.

No. Implementation of the ambulance billing fee will not affect the level of care or priority of treatment in any way. You will be treated and transported regardless of whether or not you have insurance. Only after being transported will you be asked about your insurance.

A fee is charged for patients transported to a hospital facility by the fire department emergency medical service.

The patient’s insurance company or Medicare (if applicable) will be direct billed electronically by the City’s billing company. No resident will personally receive a bill.

No. The Office of Inspector General has determined that local taxes paid to the City are acceptable as co-pay amounts. It is the City’s policy that no resident be billed for emergency medical services.

No. The Inspector General’s Opinion has determined that local taxes paid to the City are accepted as payment made in full. It is the City’s policy that no resident be billed for emergency medical services.

No. The Ohio Revised Code requires insurance companies to have provisions in their policy coverage for ambulance transports. Medicare and Medicaid also have required provisions for ambulance transportation fees. Thus, residents have been paying for ambulance transportation services in their insurance premiums even if the fee was not previously collected.

The City is following the usual and customary rates established by Medicare for our area.

The service is open to everyone that needs a ride. Call the Public Transit at 937-492-6117 for more information.

The first time you call, your information is entered into our scheduling program so your future trip requests can be entered quickly. Call the Public Transit at 937-492-6117 for more information.

You can ride to/from anywhere within the county for $5. The reduced rate for seniors and disabled riders is $2.50. Call 937-492-6117 for schedule a ride.

Yes. Please let us know if you will have a personal care attendant (PCA) riding with you when you schedule your trip. There is no charge for the PCA to ride if the PCA is picked up and dropped off at the same location as you. Call 937-492-6117 to schedule a ride.

Yes, all of our vehicles are accessible to mobility devices. Our drivers are trained to assist passengers in loading, unloading, and securing mobility devices. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

Yes, passenger assistance to and from the vehicle to the door is available upon request. We ask that during inclement weather sidewalks, ramps and drives be cleared of ice and/or snow. We reserve the right to refuse assistance if hazardous conditions exist.

Our service is a public transportation shared ride program. The driver may have other riders that are scheduled to be picked up and dropped off during your trip. Keep this in mind when scheduling your trip and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

Rather than honking the horn and disturbing others, we ask our passengers to be looking for the vehicle 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

Our scheduler will work hard to schedule your trip at your requested time, but service is very limited and there are certain times of the day when there are no openings. Our service is first come/first serve and scheduled if space is available. We suggest that you schedule your trips as early as possible to reserve the time you need. Call 937-492-6117 to reserve your time.

Review the times for the pick-up:

• City: 4:30 p.m.
• County: 4 p.m.
• Miami County/Sunoco: 4 p.m.

No. You will need to schedule a pick up and return trip when you call. You trip is completed when you leave the bus at any destination. On most days the driver has other trips scheduled and cannot wait.

No, we are unable to process credit/debit card payments at this time.

No, you must pay the regular fare for each child.

Yes, we are able to provide transportation to Miami County. For details call 937-492-6117.

You can carry on as many bags as you can safely handle at one time without assistance. The bags must be secure in your seat or you are welcome to use a personal shopping cart. Drivers are not required to assist with carry-on items. If assistance is needed due to age or disability, drivers may assist you to get your items to your door. You may also schedule a personal care attendant (PCA) to ride with you.

Children under the age of 5 ride free. However, you are responsible for providing the proper child restraint seat for the child and for securing the seat before departure.

That vehicle is scheduled to pick up someone at another location and their drop off is in the opposite direction that you will be going. Your bus/van will arrive shortly.

No, our policy is that you must pay when you board the vehicle.

If you leave anything on the vehicle, call our office at 937-492-6117. We will make every effort to locate and return lost items to our customers. Please understand that Shelby Public Transit is not responsible for items left on the vehicle.

Stormwater is what occurs following a precipitation event. Rain or snow falls on the ground and as the water moves downhill over the land it becomes "stormwater."

As water moves over yards, streets, house, driveways, etc., it picks up pollutants and carries them with it.  Most runoff is directed to a storm drain that drains to the river or stream. Thus, any pollutants on the land will be carried to the river potentially harming wildlife and possible drinking water sources.

In 1987 Congress amended the Clean Water Act to require the U.S. EPA to establish requirements for storm water discharges. Phase I Stormwater regulations began in 1992 followed by Phase II in 2003.  Phase I regulates industrial activity and municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) with populations of 100,000 or more.  Phase II regulates MS4s serving populations less than 100,000 and construction activities.

No, but where you put any signs advertising the sale is regulated.

Section 505.14 of the city’s Codified Ordinances prohibits chickens from being raised within city limits, except at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

The best answer to this would probably be to ask "Does the project include structural or electrical changes or additions?" If so, you probably need a permit. If there is any doubt about the need for a permit, your best option is to phone us at 937-498-8132 or at 937-498-8130 and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Contractor rates for 2022 are as follows:

• $65.00/hr for routine mowing/trimming, including clearing and removal
• $105.00/hr for bush hog mowing, including clearing and removal of all clippings
• $80.00/hr for maintenance of unmanaged vegetation and removal of noxious weeds and other vegetation, including clearing and removal of all items

Violators are charged the contractor’s hourly rate plus:

• $75 for the first mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $150 for the second mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $250 for the third and subsequent mowing/removals in a calendar year

Codified Ordinances Section 553.01 says, Between March 1 and December 31 of each year, no person or entity which is the owner of record of any parcel, lot or land within the City corporation limits shall permit any grass over eight inches, noxious weeds, or untended, rank, and unmanaged growth of vegetation. 

Notice is posted on the property in violation and/or mailed to the owner and occupant of the property once per calendar year. If the violation is not corrected within seven days of notice, the City’s contractor will mow, remove noxious weeds, and remove rank and unmanaged growth. Please note that notices are mailed once per calendar year. Subsequent violations within the year will be mowed by the City contractor without further notice provided to the owner or occupant.

• Residential zoned lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to 2 or more residential-use lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to less than 2 residential-use lots must be mowed twice per year, once between May 1 and July 31, and once between August 1 and October 31, in addition to maintaining 25 feet from each edge of pavement at all times.

Waivers may be granted in cases where strict application would result in an undue hardship or practical difficulty. Waivers will not be accepted on the grounds of convenience or profit, and under no circumstance will the City waive the requirements to remove noxious weeds. An owner may request a waiver from the Code Enforcement Officer in cases such as, but not limited to:

• Steep terrain
• Wetlands
• Wooded areas.

Several electronic manufacturers and some re-sellers now offer drop-off, mail-in or recycling event options. The USEPA offers a list of options.

The Shelby County Recycling Center also accepts electronic and television at a cost of $0.12 per pound. Some restrictions apply and recycling appointments are required. If you are interested in local electronics recycling, call 1.800.553.6763 EXT 20 for more details

If your latex (water-based) paint is unusable, the North Central Ohio Solid Waste District offers directions on properly drying the paint for disposal with your normal household solid waste.

Oil-based paints and paint products, such as thinners, solvents & stains, are classified as hazardous waste. If you can’t use up these products, they need to be disposed of during Household Hazardous Waste Collections.

Aggregation is an opportunity for cities, townships and counties to negotiate competitive electricity supply rates and provide budget stability for their residents and small businesses. First, residents must vote to give their community officials the ability to negotiate electricity rates for their community. Once a referendum is passed, communities are able to aggregate and elected officials can work with alternative energy suppliers to negotiate competitive electricity rates. Sidney voters approved electric and natural gas aggregation programs in November 2015.

The City of Sidney contracts with Affordable Gas and Electric LLC to implement its formal process where proposals from multiple suppliers are submitted for consideration.

Residential and small business customers located in Sidney municipal limits may participate. Customers enrolled with an alternative retail supplier will not be included in the initial program; however, they can call to be enrolled. Customers enrolled in PIPP (Percentage of Income Plan) are not eligible for the program.

Unless you "opt-out" of the program, all eligible customer accounts within will be enrolled in the program as long as you are not contracted with another supplier or enrolled in a PIPP (Percentage of Income Plan). When the city's contracts expire, you will receive a "switch" letter from your local utility company. If you do nothing with the letter, you will automatically be enrolled in the city's aggregation program. If you complete and return the bottom portion of the "switch" letter you will not be included in the program.

If you are looking to enroll mid-contract, simply call the phone numbers listed on the city's website. Make sure to have your AES or Centerpoint Energy utility account number ready when you call.

City staff cannot enroll residents in the aggregation programs.

All eligible local utility company customers within the city will receive an opt-out notification letter via U.S. mail. You may "opt-out" by returning the Opt-Out card or calling the supplier by the deadline date identified in your notification. If you choose to opt-out, your account remains with your local utility company at their current utility rate.

Sidney voters authorized the community to develop an aggregation program where each resident and small business is automatically enrolled. Therefore, if you prefer not to participate, you must opt out of the program.

You may opt out at any time by notifying the suppliers listed on the city's website via telephone, email, or mail.

The program competitive rate and terms are explained in the Terms and Conditions found with the "switch" letter or are available on the supplier's respective website. Customers who are enrolled in the program should see the changes on their monthly electricity bill 45 to 60 days after enrollment.

If at any time during the term of the city's contract the local utility company's rates fall lower than the city-negotiated price, you have the option to return to the utility, your local electric company, without penalty. Refer to the " What if I decide to opt-out after the opt-out deadlines have passed?" FAQ for details on how to opt-out.

You will continue to receive one monthly bill from AES or Centerpoint Energy. The bill will include the charges for electricity or natural gas supplied by the city's chosen supplier, as well as the delivery service charges from your local utility company. The aggregation supply charge is simply a line item included on your monthly bill.

Yes, how you pay your bill wlll not change.

You will need to contact the selected suppliers if you wish to participate in budget billing  Please contact the suppliers listed on the city's website if you would like to enroll in budget billing for your or have any additional questions about the program

You will continue to call AES and Centerpoint for outages, problems with your service or questions regarding your monthly bill.