Canton commission approves summer recreation hires, two police officers, employee raise and United Way program contract

Canton City Commissioners approved several personnel actions and a partnership contract during the meeting, including summer recreation hires, two full-time police officers, a wage increase after a six-month review, and the city's annual Connecting Kids contract with United Way.

Staff recommended hiring Ryan Kohler as a recreation manager for the summer (described as a full-time position for the summer months) and Carly Lahoff as a part-time recreation manager. The transcript states both positions were budgeted at $20.25 and carried a wage of $25.91 at grade 11, step 1; staff described Ryan as having approximately 40 hours over the summer while the Carly position was expected to be closer to 24–25 hours per week through July. Commissioners moved and seconded the hires and approved them by roll call.

The commission also recommended hiring two full-time police officers: Robert Wells (compensation discussed as $26.25 or $26.58 per hour; grade 11, step 2) and Joshua Livermore (listed at $25.91 per hour, grade 11, step 1). The motion to hire Livermore recorded individual “aye” responses in the transcript from Commissioner Spiggers, Garber(s), York and Larson, and Marilyn Smith.

An employee wage increase was approved after a six-month review: Johnny Grubbs was recommended for a raise to $24.59 per hour, grade 10, step 2, effective Feb. 5, 2025. The commission moved and seconded that personnel action and approved it by roll call.

The commission approved the city’s annual partnership with United Way’s Connecting Kids program for 2025; the program reimburses the city for passes used by qualifying children to expand youth programming access. Commissioners moved, seconded, and approved the contract.

Near the close of the agenda, the commission voted to go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations, citing “Valla 1-25-2” (phrase as stated in the meeting record). The transcript records the motion to enter executive session and commissioners voting to proceed; details discussed in executive session and any resulting actions are not in the public transcript.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript): - Hire Ryan Kohler, recreation manager (summer): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (ayes recorded; individual names not fully specified in transcript). - Hire Carly Lahoff, recreation manager (part time, summer): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (ayes recorded). - Hire Robert Wells, full-time police officer ($26.25 or $26.58/hr): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (ayes recorded). - Hire Joshua Livermore, full-time police officer ($25.91/hr): motion moved and seconded; transcript records ayes from Commissioner Spiggers, Garber(s), York, Larson and Marilyn Smith (unanimous among those recorded). - Wage increase for Johnny Grubbs to $24.59/hr effective Feb. 5, 2025: motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (ayes recorded). - United Way Connecting Kids contract for 2025: motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (ayes recorded). - Motion to enter executive session for contract negotiation (cited “Valla 1-25-2”): motion moved and seconded; commission voted to proceed.

The transcript contains multiple repeated procedural confirmations of motion and second; specific names for all roll-call aye votes are not consistently captured in the record for every item. The meeting record does not provide employment start dates, personnel file details, or the text of the Connecting Kids contract; those items would be filed with city human resources or in the clerk’s contract records.