Geraldine Bunker

The council discussed Ordinance 4-2026 to amend previous salary and wage ordinances for civil city employees and appointees for the year 2026, specifically detailing pay rates for the Parks and Golf departments. New business included a review of the city's financial reports and stale dated checks, requests for financial commitment to the READI 2.0 Lilly Endowment Grant and a YMCA childcare extension match, an interlocal agreement between the city and the Miami County Economic Development Authority regarding a downtown development project, a TIF management report review, and funding requests for the Chamber of Commerce for light pole banners and wreaths.

The council meeting addressed several public hearings and municipal business items. Topics included the quarterly rate adjustment for the municipal electric utility, an appropriation for equipping police vehicles with cameras, and the allocation of funds for the Broadway Landing project infrastructure. Discussions also covered the expenditure of ARP funds for various departmental needs and maintenance projects. Council members received updates from various liaisons regarding solid waste district operations, park improvements including new volleyball courts, police and fire department personnel changes, and efforts to address park vandalism through potential ordinance updates. The council also addressed storm water drainage issues on German Street.

The council meeting included the swearing in of a new sergeant for the local police department and the recognition of team members who completed a leadership development program. Council members provided liaison reports covering board of works activities, animal control updates, park board projects, and county commissioner meetings. In new business, the council approved meeting dates for 2026, passed a resolution authorizing the clerk-treasurer to manage investment funds in local financial institutions, and considered an ordinance to restrict the use of public records for commercial purposes to prevent the creation of income-generating databases.

The council discussed and voted on Ordinance 22-2025, which establishes the 2026 salaries for elected officials. The discussion covered the rationale for cost of living adjustments, the historical context of salary increases for full-time employees, and the overall fairness of the proposal for both elected officials and staff.

The council meeting included the appointment of committee officers, specifically a chairperson and secretary for the economic development commission. A presentation was provided by the executive director of the Miami County Economic Development Authority regarding the rehabilitation and reuse of the former Northport Southern area, which involves an investment of 36 apartments. The council discussed and approved a resolution pledging 70% of new property tax revenues generated from the project to the developer as an incentive. Additionally, the meeting covered an additional appropriation resolution for various city needs, including a new generator for City Hall, replacement laptops, an automated gate opener for animal control, and vehicle fleet management updates. The status of the golf course drainage and irrigation system, as well as the progress of the splash park on Canal Street, were also reviewed.