Village of Blanchester

The meeting agenda was revised by removing the public comment section, which was subsequently replaced by a decision to hold quarterly Town Hall meetings; the solicitor was directed to draft an outline for these Town Halls. Key actions included approving the bills and reallocations for the current date. The Finance Committee reported on the need for and subsequent approval of issuing credit cards for gasoline for each police cruiser. The legality of a council member holding a position on the Park Board while also serving as the Street Department supervisor was confirmed, and the member was reinstated to the Park Board. New Business involved the unanimous appointment of a President Pro Tempore for 2026 and the adoption of two resolutions: Resolution 2026.001 establishing fiscal year accounting limits, and Resolution 2026.002 renewing the levy tax in excess of the ten mill limitation. Police Department activities, including participation in community events and ongoing final year-end reporting, were reviewed. A discussion regarding the potential impact of DATA centers on the village's electric infrastructure was tabled pending further review.

The meeting commenced with a special ceremony for the swearing-in of K-9 Officer Vido, recognizing the donors who made the K-9 unit possible. Key public comments addressed the recent failure of a renewal levy, with citizens citing a lack of visible progress and trust regarding infrastructure spending, and a significant financial adjustment shown on a recent fund summary report that officials stated they are still working with auditors to clarify. The council approved the agenda and the minutes from the October 23, 2025 meeting. Discussions on the bills included questioning the necessity of quotes for removing dangerous trees and confirming payment for a drone. The Finance Committee recommended authorizing the Mayor to continue with the TAP grant for sidewalk and asphalt improvements. In Old Business, the third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2025.022, establishing the Village Administrator position and abolishing the Board of Trustees for the Public Affairs, failed due to a lack of a second on a motion to include the Cemetery. New Business saw the passage of Resolution 2025.023, authorizing the application for TAP grant funding. Committee reports included updates on the cemetery cleanup schedule, upcoming Parks events, and a detailed analysis from the BPA regarding electric rates, the justification for the substation project, and transformer replacements. The Mayor proposed considering a separate property tax levy specifically for the Cemetery in the future.

The Special Council Meeting included a motion to excuse one member's absence. Key agenda items involved the recognition of Detective Sargent Kristen Jeffers as employee of the year by Chief Houghton. In new business, the Fiscal Officer reviewed the 2026 Temporary Appropriations, detailing each fund and addressing questions. The Capital Outlay plans were also reviewed, emphasizing that any expenditure exceeding $10,000 in capital outlay still requires council approval.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in ceremony for all new council members for 2026, including Grant Coffman. During public comment, a resident addressed concerns regarding electric rates and the service charge. Key actions taken included the approval of bills and reallocations, and the Finance Committee recommended approval of a new 3% pay scale increase for the Police Department, as well as a step raise for the Police Chief. Additionally, the council approved withholding the last two health payments from employees to realize insurance savings. Safety & Service discussions covered sidewalk concerns, potential hazards from lighting near the 'S' curve, and the removal of a dead tree on Columbus St. Legislation passed included an emergency ordinance for Temporary Appropriations and a resolution adopting a new Cyber Security Policy, following a recommendation from the Solicitor regarding credit card usage for tax-exempt purchases. A decision was made during Executive Session to transfer Paul Daniels to the electric department.

Key discussions during the meeting included the second reading of Ordinance No. 2025.022, which seeks to establish the position of Village Administrator and abolish the Board of Trustees for the Public Affairs. Council members debated the scope of departments the Village Administrator would oversee, noting potential conflicts of interest and questioning the financial feasibility of the position given current cash flow issues related to contractor reimbursements. Committee reports noted that the Cemetery Board is awaiting quotes for tree removal, and the BPA reported on progress in reducing delinquent accounts and updating the shut-off policy. The Police Department provided an update on Halloween preparedness and showcased bodycam footage illustrating recent police activity, including a high-speed pursuit resulting in drug recovery.