[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6232802,"mediaKeyId","3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a","parentId",3425771,"title","Finance committee moves several emergency payments and small budget appropriations to full council","audioSeconds",10624,"startMs",560000,"endMs",11184000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a&start=560&end=11184","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a/thumbnail_560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232802/Ohio/Finance-committee-moves-several-emergency-payments-and-small-budget-appropriations-to-full-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232802-b50fa758ed8a5be05998d695cdb277a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200633&Signature=KYppsUD7kylWCo3rG7J0h7vKvOSUcs8CZ30EzyAZIzlgSnS7eNC6NeRO-Sai7x11GWmNDbchvATzLXA3z0YSmzejAwnW2SBRJpUTSchGnwNyzUGj5DXoK0Spto3BMVzU48nzAYrRGiDMRDLYfez2leDDtJvoW6ah-p2UhrjU4pIun6ld36HYdzISFeY~D5hADB~7S--zfbHNsB3SEYz46Cw67UbRfGbxQh7GlTXJsh1obTDItgY69OO4-NJtsT9nsTottufKhDvdxZMu9iAvRfEqQaRGNbJeisxz6VXIidmF3y1ElIoC~Gzx5z-8OEfUiYByI28gorVSHkFhCQSCXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Baberton, OH","date","2025-05-21T16:16:04.667Z","article","Barberton's committee meetings on May 19 produced multiple finance requests that committee chairs moved to full council with emergency readings or referral to the finance committee.

Key items referred or called for included: an invoice from Ohio Edison for $14,898.59 to remove light poles on Second Street Northwest (request came from Director Carr and was referred to finance); an appropriation of $3,000 from the general fund to Parks administration operating and maintenance; an appropriation of $15,000 to the Fire Department\u0000s operation and maintenance budget at Chief Polacek\u0000s request; and authorization to pay MultiForce Systems Corporation $3,944 for the annual fuel-services contract. Each of these items was moved and carried in committee, generally with a voice vote of “Aye.”

Separately, the planning/street committee reported that the actual bid for the sidewalk project on and near Van Buren (PID 122321) came in about $5,000 over the estimate; committee members asked whether CDBG or other funds would cover the increase and then moved the request to full council with emergency reading.

No detailed roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the committee summaries; chairs indicated motions were moved, seconded and approved. Committees asked finance staff to include these items on next week\u0000s council agenda for formal ordinance readings and final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Barberton City Council, 5-19-2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Finance and multiple committees referred or called for emergency readings of invoices and small appropriations, including a $14,898.59 Ohio Edison invoice for pole removal and several small appropriations for parks and fire operations; the committee also referred a payment to MultiForce Systems for a fuel-services contract.","taxTitle","Baberton City Council, Barberton City, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",70383,"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},6232807,"Former firefighter tells council HR should be independent of public-safety leadership after allegations of past misconduct",408,6846000,7254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a&start=6846&end=7254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a/thumbnail_6846000.jpg","/articles/6232807/Ohio/Former-firefighter-tells-council-HR-should-be-independent-of-public-safety-leadership-after-allegations-of-past-misconduct","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232807-3986cc5fa97e8ff466893ac49593a030/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200633&Signature=OsayY~mYvdF6DWs~-ZxgOG9mM5iJPJHFeCGiPDQ23SRkaYONfPUVgInIXnmx1nu2PUmdgvFUGrzIyFuakgjVxLa33ifjlsLdLXGO2JAOl4uf8DPn3wtZFo9Ix3RJO5GxI8O1HCsi0V7wrc8gvKVqfEthnRpl-3zFUaTyGsktkg2OGKRyzKEwWVQbukW3K5yurg-h1Noq4uJ-rJj7UewGGutG9o6lwLCmxg22LYvimSl-NwYDfmNbZBfL-UN1kkg49vkKYNQ3EfZ8du0mC6yqDoKbJp7hmReBe47aD9gtbgl3D2jvSAkId2nTN9x-2CV55oV7jidckv8H23Vf~a4FIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A former Barberton firefighter told council May 19 that combining the city's human-resources function with the safety director's office creates a conflict that left employees vulnerable when they raised complaints.

The speaker described a personal, multi-year dispute with a prior safety director and said attempts to file grievances were constrained because HR reported through the safety director. “She sent a high ranking fire official. He took me aside, pointed right my face and said, shut your email. It is none of your business,” the speaker said, recounting the event and later describing threats and sustained bullying that he said harmed his family and colleagues.

That testimony prompted council members to revisit a proposed charter change to separate HR responsibilities from the safety director\u0000s duties. Supporters argued a standalone HR office helps employees report misconduct without a conflict of interest and would provide an impartial avenue for discipline, medical and employment issues. Opponents and some council members noted many safety-staff employment issues are covered by collective-bargaining agreements and union representatives, but several members and the speaker said there remain serious non-bargaining issues — including workplace bullying and mental-health supports — that merit independent HR oversight.

Law Director Miller and the administration said they already conduct exit interviews and that HR is reviewing retention and training to reduce turnover and improve career ladders. The mayor said he would prefer to maintain flexibility and explore options that make HR effective without embedding rigid language in the charter.

The committee asked the administration to return with options for separating HR responsibilities or otherwise ensuring impartial complaint intake and protection for employees; no formal charter change was adopted in committee.","A former firefighter told council that human-resources functions should not be combined with the safety director\u0000s responsibilities, describing alleged bullying and threats under a previous safety director and urging a separate HR function to protect employees and preserve trust.",{"_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},6232812,"Retired firefighter urges a city public information officer to improve communications during storms and emergencies",887,5512000,6399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a&start=5512&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a/thumbnail_5512000.jpg","/articles/6232812/Ohio/Retired-firefighter-urges-a-city-public-information-officer-to-improve-communications-during-storms-and-emergencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232812-b8fcfec6b58e335885f4e27c9cd18ece/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200633&Signature=fuWqkaO2EXs2B6ka0FhNhOvoYgbsgQV7-LYOLhusZOI5gVRuZ488a55xl5yii26ggufT0Haox7IofFUf3ilrRtWBhjs9734X4-ZST0T0nT3qdDgw7Lm8sSyRimC7T8wzhzp5NG47eve0lnUHZxoAp50ZGD1JMxDxnwX6L7O-6iJlNynASMiO7JkXNaWPwoGD9YdBTsOgTace-MD4qVu3W0IVlmzDECtDsvXYxF8lvP-gBBjoYt1xwUIJs2uRM6Jzm5k3ZhFjoDdGe4jQXsF85~jh23D6ULjWsLMDWAeBzs17tzXA2ZbEVkwODEBon4z0lEQgy0-QkbEi2WkU6DxnCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A retired Barberton firefighter and tactical medic told council May 19 that poor city communications during the recent storm and other incidents show the need for a city-level public information officer.

“...the plan literally says there's a city public information officer, and it literally spells out its organization, assignment, and responsibilities,” the speaker said, referring to the city's emergency operations plan and its Annex D on public information. He urged the council and administration to implement the plan\u0000s public-information structure so one official can collect, verify and distribute timely, coordinated messages during storms, fires and other emergencies.

The speaker (Dave Carr) said the PIO role would not only improve emergency messaging but also coordinate day-to-day communications so accurate information reaches residents instead of fragmented social-media posts. “Nixle is not used near enough,” he said, describing how residents currently get more timely alerts from neighboring governments or social channels.

Councilors agreed the city needs better communications but debated whether to embed the PIO in the charter or create the position by ordinance. Councilor Heideck and others recommended an ordinance so job details and compensation can be adapted as technology and needs change; Councilor Gerhardt said the emergency operation plan already places the PIO within the Department of Public Safety but that the city should ensure the role is funded and operationalized.

The committee suggested the administration draft a job description and an ordinance option so council can consider a sustainable, funded position (full- or part-time) rather than placing rigid job rules in the charter.","A retired firefighter told the council the city\u0000s emergency operations plan already designates a public information role and urged the city to implement a central public information officer (PIO) to coordinate timely messaging during storms and public-safety incidents.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232817,"Council weighs sending building permits to Summit County as debate over department performance and revenues intensifies",1151,2449000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a&start=2449&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a/thumbnail_2449000.jpg","/articles/6232817/Ohio/Council-weighs-sending-building-permits-to-Summit-County-as-debate-over-department-performance-and-revenues-intensifies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232817-387ee447c4edebc58a64a2df298a8ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200633&Signature=LPANnhAs13M3aoNaD5T6KTaFE~NNCcnbFnU6fL4yoF206Dc0-wfSe8bmVJeYpgbhlNlcQ-Gd0nmOQuome9xSQKxaoPRZmEWsNzvc5VR7Komu1ar~ZUVFH0l7C9E4pkGDP4qw~PD2ptuGJZULumkyv1bgYU5ByIjV-HwvTmifh31OpnRjD2KN7bQEi0W7hFrKhDilm9lT7YUewb2VlZQYu7kQI-jQMzt1EGyrmD3295MmC3sqj5en2k9Zmm12PP8PG8CGR6DxLwV04TUUD9wd3TLRBtpLw1~J5AvNGVjaMRCgDSfavfzAsnSjmhWGe72oVCsXmg8B3t9yLz0opNBldg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barberton councilors spent a lengthy portion of the May 19 committee meetings debating whether the city should keep its building department or move permitting and plan review to Summit County.

Advocates for contracting said private contractors and neighboring county services often provide faster online permitting and virtual inspections; residents and some council members recounted long waits for local electrical or plumbing inspections. “Can you imagine coming in? I mean, so we're trying to do away with that and make that kind of stuff easier,” Public Service Director Derek Shreve said while listing digital plan submittal improvements the department is pursuing.

The mayor and the building department pushed back, citing revenue the department generates. The mayor said the department is “in the black” and that permit and plan-review revenue — including work Barberton performs for Norton — contributes substantially to the general fund. He warned that sending permitting to the county would “lose all permit revenue” and could leave Barberton responsible for property-maintenance wages currently covered in part with permit and rental-registration funds.

Councilors pressed on cost comparisons. The building department reported it brings in permit revenue (Norton $309,000 and Barberton $267,000 in one year as shown in department figures), while the city also pays for some contracted plan review and inspectors (a “professional services” line of about $111,000 the prior year). One councilor noted that big developments in neighboring communities can produce one-time revenue spikes that are not guaranteed in future years.

Council members and the mayor repeatedly raised two practical questions: how to replace revenue if permitting leaves the city, and whether property-maintenance enforcement would get underfunded if building-permit income moved to the county. “If you don't have people going to the county and getting permits or they're doing work and they're not getting inspections, who's monitoring that?” the mayor asked. Chief Polacek, the fire marshal, said another loss would be immediate on-scene support in emergencies: when fire or safety personnel need a rapid determination of structural safety, “they were there within 5 minutes,” he said of local building staff.

Several councilors also noted high turnover in the building department over the last two years and asked administration leaders to explain whether staffing instability contributed to permit delays. The administration said exit interviews are conducted and that retention ideas — more training and career steps — are under review. Director Shreve said staff additions and digital plan submissions have helped but acknowledged some public complaints about responsiveness.

No ordinance or charter amendment was adopted in committee. The council asked the administration for detailed, apples-to-apples comparisons showing current net revenue and net costs of continuing an in-house building department versus contracting permitting to Summit County, and for examples of how other nearby cities handle similar arrangements.","Councilors, the mayor and department heads debated a charter change that would eliminate the city building department and contract permit/plan-review functions to Summit County, with extensive discussion of permit revenue, rental-registration funding, service speed and recent staff turnover.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232822,"Barberton council debates charter changes on term limits and an earlier budget deadline",563,876000,1439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a&start=876&end=1439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425771-70ba777a36128b8df5093a77cd81801a/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6232822/Ohio/Barberton-council-debates-charter-changes-on-term-limits-and-an-earlier-budget-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232822-2685b0fa129d808164b2c4fae029c5a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200633&Signature=OwRINQfsZ0GRh01zrpXal0RM4x7MPUmsEzkC~UdvXIjaoYwxHaflC2pP7t3jSZegZEjQnLU8ds~4~9pjC42QbN0-8GoFKZnsxM3kL6D-BVKp1mtJBoKCS0~-Uu918e9zKb65S3Zf6KjiYM6SsFFtPb88EmoEwhkkS9GuYWp1ihFU5KMQJmwa4ux1demiKcMjtZvkZQAafkEQeO4YIr8DZr4id6neTmt5Mgn8QSUzLfTsvJ7eP7tr8Oae70gffWVb7Q~25wGYUm4pN0~I53MaM~PPV-xJUm5~ja0k3dCaZv6ACrS8NA8fXJQmuz3y6eWOfBP-dEQpTSGnYp-KbzXreg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barberton City Council members debated proposed charter language May 19 that would (1) limit elected officials — including the mayor and council president — to three consecutive terms and (2) set an earlier date for the mayor to present a draft municipal budget to council.

The discussion mattered because supporters said deadlines would give council more time to review spending, while opponents said a fixed constitutional deadline would handicap mayors and could produce incomplete budgets when costs change. Mayor (name not specified) told the committee, “I start meeting with department heads in August,” and argued that personnel, grants and other costs change late in the cycle and that a hard deadline would produce an “incomplete budget.”

Councilor Heideck and others pressed for a calendar-based requirement that would move the budget presentation earlier. “For 2 years, we've actually had it at the absolute last minute,” the committee chair said, arguing that more lead time would let members ask better questions and consider reallocations instead of last-minute cuts. Councilor Heideck suggested an operational compromise: holding a dedicated budget workshop on a fifth Monday in January so the council can focus on budget review in one session.

Mayor (name not specified) countered that the budget process is iterative and depends on “actuals” that the finance director compiles in January. He said departments often need up-to-date quotes and that unforeseen personnel changes can require late adjustments. “When the budget does come to council, we don't hold the budget up,” the mayor said, urging more regular meetings between council and department heads rather than embedding a hard date in the charter.

Council members also returned to a separate charter proposal to limit elected-office terms to three consecutive terms. Opponents said the change could shrink the pool of qualified candidates and deny voters the option to re-elect experienced officials; supporters said turnover is necessary to open openings for new participants.

No final charter vote was taken in committee; members discussed options for moving items either into ordinance language (to preserve flexibility) or into the charter (to make rules binding for future councils). The committee also requested internal follow-ups: better line-item explanations from department heads and exploration of dedicated budget-workshop dates to reduce late-year pressure.

Looking ahead, the council plans additional meetings on the full set of charter changes before any proposal is referred for a public vote.","Council members debated proposed charter amendments that would add term limits for elected officials and require an earlier date for the mayor to present a draft budget, with the mayor and several councilors sharply divided on whether a hard deadline belongs in the charter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee moves several emergency payments and small budget appropriations to full council

Former firefighter tells council HR should be independent of public-safety leadership after allegations of past misconduct

Retired firefighter urges a city public information officer to improve communications during storms and emergencies

Council weighs sending building permits to Summit County as debate over department performance and revenues intensifies

Barberton council debates charter changes on term limits and an earlier budget deadline