[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109597,"mediaKeyId","2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea","parentId",2760709,"title","City council adopts multiple resolutions; overview of votes and next steps","audioSeconds",288,"startMs",4292000,"endMs",4580000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea&start=4292&end=4580","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea/thumbnail_4292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109597/Ohio/City-council-adopts-multiple-resolutions-overview-of-votes-and-next-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109597-8c74e07b0af1fb44600d674c035c1662/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093635&Signature=FbRS8bTNwgncROEkY9GR3G0LM5~Jxh7qSYru-X8Ty1xbH-qBLdYtw-ClnJ6fEMCsobvyjCFRxlY~CF-7e9lcqUKvjyPkuVrOOyZ1bmdJdleyI6251a2zsxJ0m9WpbZp~w2LcMKe7jZAU~zaPe58wD5edpW04sArCN7sCCdOD0dl-2~oNTFaMVE8i~QDSCry3jvpYHD86v7G044na5dzuKokC3IXn8o8BdI1ob5kJ20e9Gml-yXI-4dFMGCMUpJpiF~TcNCmjVB6wproiN4LOhyBBxEXX6Xz-yhtXBE7FoU9WKX3RlOzM0meLIIM-JrK19O5XpF7zvRJeKLxGPMtxuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-03-24T22:30:01Z","article","Mount Vernon City Council handled a mix of budget, capital and administrative items in its March 24 session, adopting several resolutions by vote and giving first readings to others.

Key adopted items

- Resolution 2025‑32: Adjustments to appropriations across city funds. Council suspended the three‑reading rule and adopted the resolution to move line items and fund appropriate expenditures, including office upgrades and one‑time items. Staff said the adjustments reflect carryover and prior-year revenue figures and that the county must approve certain shifts.

- Resolution 2025‑34: Contract authorization with Grama Matter Systems LLC for LIMS installation at the water and wastewater plants; adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule. Staff said the project is budgeted and is the final phase of a three‑year capital plan.

- Resolution 2025‑38: Donation of surplus city property to another public entity; adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule (item described as surplus property conveyance for public purpose).

- Resolution 2025‑39: Authorization to apply for Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District nonpoint-source grant funds for watershed plans (Center Run, Delano Run and Dry Creek); adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule. Staff said the grants would support studies and channel/bridge surveys for levee and flood-control planning.

- Resolution 2025‑40: Confirmation of the mayor’s appointment of Catherine Breckler to the Knox County Health District Board; adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule.

- Resolution 2025‑43: Auditor authorized to pay bills (then‑and‑now explanations provided); adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule. Council discussed purchase orders and fund-line changes related to police communications equipment and other items.

- Resolution 2025‑44: Supplemental appropriations, including reimbursements related to police department receivables and firefighter personnel matters; adopted after suspension of the three‑reading rule.

Other actions

- Resolution 2025‑41 (USDA rural development grant application for new police department building at 71 Sika Road) received its first reading; council requested a 10‑minute committee meeting at the next session to discuss the item in more detail.

- Resolution 2025‑42 (transfer of commercial parcels to the Knox County Land Reutilization Corporation for economic development) received its first reading; council requested a 15‑minute committee discussion at the next meeting.

- Ordinance 2025‑09 (rezoning several parcels from R‑1A Core Residential to R‑3 Attached Residential) received its first reading. Municipal Planning recommended approval; a public hearing was scheduled for April 28.

How votes were handled

Council used the suspension-of-rules procedure multiple times to take items to third and final reading and to adopt them at the March 24 meeting. Staff repeatedly told council that some appropriations and contract actions were already budgeted and that the county must approve certain fund reallocations.

What’s next

Several adopted items require procurement, contract execution, grant applications or further administrative work by the appropriate departments (utilities, safety/service, auditor). Items that received first readings will be scheduled for committee discussion or public hearing as noted.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved budget adjustments, the Grama Matter LIMS contract, surplus property donation, donations of a retired rescue engine for training, watershed grant applications, an appointment to the county health board and supplemental appropriations; several items received first readings.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio","taxId",71655,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109602,"Council approves contract with Grama Matter Systems for lab data systems at water and wastewater plants",3625,940000,4565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea&start=940&end=4565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea/thumbnail_940000.jpg","/articles/6109602/Ohio/Council-approves-contract-with-Grama-Matter-Systems-for-lab-data-systems-at-water-and-wastewater-plants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109602-24074e89ff97dc2d671598ec7ca77a23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093635&Signature=STWe-ey7ePwKrWT-VrxUAcdRs7RyEONj74OUsf6AYUVAIh5PzPv0WHF3hKbxTuFoAC~Ac3VCqfgAEvODd59kLWF-O28qleYItdEk4jOrRi9DuRCxym6z4rm5190XpW8-M-Sy3XdfpI7imv52DohqoSOy9uF2Jky7hbakpJQuKHheJkpiVsttVx4pIYAlFIkgalHCAfWX4faCJcq59MdRvDYD3v3MJKPGH582DJ04f~d3IlcTlSdWcUMPSrFuy-BQEBIlzVc~kVcvCVH-L8wFWhV9CpByrbZAM6dVFoHRzh0hdBkK0XryBkIq2YEdfhefsGyeo1rDPOL-0mq15aKU9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon council voted March 24 to authorize a contract with Grama Matter Systems LLC to install Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software in the city’s water and wastewater treatment plants.

Safety-service staff and operations personnel told council the LIMS purchase is the final phase of a three‑year capital plan for laboratory and operational-technology upgrades. Staff said the system is budgeted for the current year and will digitize paper bench sheets, centralize test results, automate record‑retention and reporting, improve inventory tracking of reagents, and integrate instrument meters for near-real-time analysis.

Aaron (water/wastewater laboratory staff) explained the system will reduce transcription errors, enable trend analysis for plant troubleshooting, and help the city meet Ohio EPA monitoring, reporting and records‑retention requirements. Staff said the system would replace hard-copy records that have been stored in boxes and would support sample tracking, inventory management and workflow automation.

Safety‑service leadership told council the purchase is part of the budget and capital plan and recommended adoption. Council suspended the three‑reading rule and adopted resolution 2025‑34 authorizing the city’s safety‑service director to contract with Grama Matter Systems LLC for the installations. Staff said the work represents the final phase of the planned upgrades and that the expenditures were appropriated in this year’s budget.

Council members voted to adopt the resolution; the item was presented as budgeted, one‑time and operational-technology work. Staff said the system would help the plants trend data to head off problems and improve compliance and records retention.

","Council adopted a resolution authorizing a contract with Grama Matter Systems LLC to install a Laboratory Information Management System across the city's water and wastewater facilities; staff said the system is budgeted and will digitize lab records and support Ohio EPA reporting requirements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109607,"Knox Mobility official outlines gaps in out-of-county medical transportation, proposes county-first pilot",439,477000,916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea&start=477&end=916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea/thumbnail_477000.jpg","/articles/6109607/Ohio/Knox-Mobility-official-outlines-gaps-in-out-of-county-medical-transportation-proposes-county-first-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109607-fa71fea9faf092d805e5987cac3da63d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093635&Signature=h49gWZPQaI5QyZd-jr6Mu20Ul6-63rL8WoWvWQviIUif2mVv8cBph7xuL9RfglPWP-TnKDQQbxGtbWVnAy9Tq-WJ22a0lTQHdSHpHnJM~7CXufMp23-z5-mkafmMe-wRaLpVyKolJcjzGeICsihNGMN86cFkbTcVu6fF2k2xsnO-ZqPirhyF9EBcnGkKAIBsf~ZQ-TkItue62cj6fJNCa0Nd-XOV7neiBb3jTMj7~j3xDCyZrQYFlvoN8m0InBONyZv2g1jfm54Zjc13I~bEYGf8kYkU0sMxjNT6mVKgdNFMsACC4Yp7OAyjMVcs0jxlRXRUyvDFf6v9r86rzz9~yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Porter, program coordinator for mobility management at Knox Public Health, briefed Mount Vernon council March 24 on the county’s mobility-management work and described a service gap for residents who must travel outside the county for specialty medical appointments.

Porter said mobility management is a resource-navigation program—staff help residents find and arrange transportation but do not provide or pay for rides. He said the county maintains a robust mix of public and private providers and that Knox County’s system is stronger than many counties in Ohio.

Porter told the council that for some residents the cost of out-of-county round trips to Columbus or Cleveland for specialty care can be “hundreds” to “as much as $3,400” for a round trip on some private services. He said Job and Family Services’ NET (non‑emergency transportation) program will pay for some trips for Medicaid recipients, and nursing-home residents may get some out‑of‑county transportation through institutional arrangements, but many Medicare beneficiaries and others who do not qualify for NET must pay out of pocket.

“That’s the gap we’re trying to fill,” Porter said, describing work with Dane Baumann (NET supervisor, JFS) to build a framework to subsidize or offset those costs for residents who lack NET eligibility. Porter said the county is considering a program to help residents cover out‑of‑county specialist trips and that he expects to return to council to request support for whatever framework is developed.

Porter also described mobility-management work aimed at older residents, including training and assistance so older adults can use public transit and avoid social isolation. He said he coordinates transit planning across county active-transportation and transit partners and maintains the county’s required human transit plan for ODOT compliance.

Councilmembers asked Porter what he would change with a “magic wand.” Porter cited funding for out‑of‑county trips as the top priority and noted his team is pursuing a first-in-state pilot through the mobility-management program to offset specialty travel costs. He asked for the council’s support as the program is developed.

Porter closed by offering to return with more detail as the proposal is refined and to seek council support when appropriate.

","Mobility manager Joe Porter told council the county’s mobility program connects residents with transportation resources but does not pay for trips; he described high out-of-county costs for specialty medical care and said he will seek council support for a pilot to help offset those costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109611,"Mount Vernon council briefed on Knox County comprehensive plan as city prepares three readings",0,950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea&start=950&end=950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760709-1d86181b4cdfa7dd58fecaf5a25c92ea/thumbnail_950000.jpg","/articles/6109611/Ohio/Mount-Vernon-council-briefed-on-Knox-County-comprehensive-plan-as-city-prepares-three-readings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109611-38547c100ca41c26938fbe5ec3f5baf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093635&Signature=fhd5X79ilFVwVhxly9hzYKikudRGQcKh6J2R9WIh7AKL5~jwqb~O1Eb~D1vbYS3XOPIMxczwMWBXuu7K4Jztuo8qc~~QWodoT6ues6LlEgd4pVB3K0vws7y~Y7Js9TXEIhOLESYrIfEuUO8pZbrSX12PBle310Cad9uDKU17C1cIbaBuhW2fWWSpqcrTWMa44uGT9G23ZHkrj8jkODn6go33U~EGEbXSyhGtjppBJrrndUdglXHWLWKX2Q7B3YyQcA9y5cyyhZ93ADeseNo2MZ4Anh7HkWP6thxLaFASrwRQM21qjTjQuVUKdRy2cJki4s-~kRHzwbBzpat58tBB5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon council members held a short Land Use and Development Committee discussion March 24 on the Knox County comprehensive plan that the city is expected to adopt through legislation set for three readings later that night.

The committee discussion centered on information-sharing rather than debate. Council members were told the plan was approved by the Regional Planning Commission with one township voting no. Staff said the city’s formal action would follow the county’s approval and that legislation to consider adoption of the plan was on the council agenda and would proceed through three readings.

The plan, county staff told the committee, is intended as guidance — a set of recommendations rather than mandatory rules. Council members asked whether the county-passed version included tracked edits or items removed during county deliberations; staff agreed to circulate the final version that passed the Regional Planning Commission for council review. Committee members also flagged a provision that had been removed from the county portion: a recommendation to study building-code changes. That study recommendation remains in the city section of the draft plan, and at least one council member said she supported keeping a recommendation to study building codes even though she does not support implementing mandatory building codes.

Committee members heard that the Regional Planning Commission trimmed at least one county recommendation before approving the plan. Staff said some topics in the county draft were removed because the commission felt they were not appropriate for a county-level recommendation; however, those same topics may remain as city recommendations. No formal adoption took place during the committee meeting; staff said legislation to consider approval would go forward in the full council meeting and would be considered through the council’s three-reading process.

Council members asked staff to supply the final adopted version that the county passed and to identify any differences between the county- and city-specific sections. The committee chair said the city has been regularly updated and that a slightly longer committee meeting would follow in the next session if more detailed discussion is needed.

The committee closed the item after staff committed to circulate the county-passed document and to route any specific technical questions to the appropriate county or contractor representative for answers.

Looking ahead, the council will consider the county comprehensive plan under a multi-reading legislative process; staff will provide the county-passed version and a list of any substantive edits or differences between county and city text.

","Council members were updated on a countywide comprehensive plan that the city is expected to consider; Regional Planning Commission approved the plan with one township dissenting, and city staff will circulate the final version and pending legislation for three readings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City council adopts multiple resolutions; overview of votes and next steps

Council approves contract with Grama Matter Systems for lab data systems at water and wastewater plants

Knox Mobility official outlines gaps in out-of-county medical transportation, proposes county-first pilot

Mount Vernon council briefed on Knox County comprehensive plan as city prepares three readings