Councilman Jeff Dennis

10/08/2026

Legislation was introduced on Monday to establish a vacant building registry in Bowling Green. This ordinance would require owners of vacant buildings to register with the City and pay an annual fee that increases each consecutive year that the property sits vacant.

Revitalizing our neighborhoods and making it easier to start and grow a business have been two of my top priorities on Council. I believe we need to do more to encourage vacant properties to be put back into productive use, especially those that have been allowed to sit empty for extended periods.

Whether it’s an empty storefront downtown or a house that’s been sitting vacant and deteriorating for years, these properties affect more than just their current owners. They can drag down surrounding property values, discourage investment, and create public safety concerns.

For both residential and commercial space, affordability is another concern I hear repeatedly. This ordinance will provide a financial incentive for owners of vacant properties to take a more active approach to filling vacant spaces, including offering rents that better reflect market demand.

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts on this proposal before the final vote which will likely occur on November 3rd.

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

One confirmed case of measles found in BG, with exposure in multiple locations
https://bgindependentmedia.org/one-confirmed-case-of-measles-found-in-bg-with-exposure-in-multiple-locations/

09/29/2026

09/24/2026

09/22/2026

Last night, City Council met to consider 24 ward maps submitted by the public. The field has been narrowed to these 3 finalists. Please take a second to review these options and let me know what you think.

A final map will be selected on October 5, and legislation updating our ward boundaries will be passed in time for next year’s municipal elections. The new wards will reflect population shifts in the city since our last redistricting in 2002 and guarantee fair and equal representation for all residents.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in this community-driven process, whether that's submitting a map, attending one of our public meetings, or contacting your representatives on City Council.

09/20/2026

Redistricting Update: Here are the 23 maps that community members submitted before last night's deadline. These maps will be discussed during a special meeting of City Council tomorrow (9/21) at 6:00.

Take a look at the maps below and let me know what you like or don’t like, particularly regarding population balance, keeping neighborhoods and communities of interest together, and maintaining ward boundaries that make sense on the ground.

A final map will be introduced and given its first reading at the regular meeting of City Council on Monday, October 5 at 7:00. For more information on the redistricting process, visit https://www.bgohio.gov/721/City-Ward-Redistricting

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to propose a map, attend one of our public mapping sessions, or otherwise share feedback.

09/17/2026

Bowling Green has changed quite a bit since 2002, but our ward boundaries haven’t been adjusted as our population has grown and shifted. As a result, some of our wards now have significantly more residents than others. This imbalance denies many Bowling Green residents fair and equal representation.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted maps so far. If you haven’t, there’s still time to participate:

📅 Saturday, Sept. 19, 9:00–10:30 a.m. — Join us at the Simpson Garden Park Building to learn more about redistricting, identify communities of interest, and work with others to create potential ward maps.

💻 You can also create and submit your own map online by visiting the link in the comments. The deadline for map submissions is 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

The goal throughout this process has been simple: create a fair, balanced map while making the process as open and community-driven as possible.

Read more about the process and how to participate below. 👇

09/16/2026

Smile, you're in Bowling Green! 😀

If you missed Monday evening's ward redistricting meeting, there will be another one Saturday morning at 9 am in the Simpson Garden Park building. 🌿

Be sure to submit your map or map suggestions before midnight Saturday night. ⏰

While this map might have an adorable smile, Ward 1 in blue is not contiguous nor are the populations substantially equal. Check out all the guidelines and a tutorial on the City's website.

Let me know if you would like to sit down to work on a map together before Saturday night!

09/14/2026

Redistricting Forum tonight! 🚨 9/14 6 pm

❓️ Ask questions
🗺 Make a map
🗣 Share your thoughts

Can't make it? Join us Saturday, September 19th at 9 am at Simpson Garden OR call or email me with any questions.

Not getting the hang of the website and can't make it? Reach out! I can sit down with you or help by phone.