Orrville City Council adopts 2025 appropriations, approves Enterprise Zone amendment and pool repairs; solicitor ordinance moves to second reading

Orrville — The Orrville City Council on March 17 adopted Resolution 09-25, approving appropriations for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025, and declared the measure an emergency so it would take effect immediately. The council also voted to approve an amendment to an Enterprise Zone agreement with Big Heart Pet Inc. and authorized emergency procurement to replace pool lights and repaint the municipal pool. An ordinance to amend solicitor registration and penalties was moved to second reading.

The appropriations resolution was described during the finance committee recap as the final step to meet the county auditor's deadline. Finance Director Ms. Strimblett told council members the legislation reflected operating and capital plans discussed at the March 10 finance meeting and presented totals for the appropriations package.

Council approved Resolution 11-25 to amend the city's Enterprise Zone agreement with Big Heart Pet Inc., changing language to reflect retained jobs rather than newly created positions and to align local wording with state records. Safety-Service Director Mr. Wheeler described the change as “housekeeping” intended to reflect the company’s current job counts and said the amendment does not change the length or percentage of the existing tax abatement (a 50% abatement that remains in place for the remainder of its 15-year term).

Council also adopted Resolution 12-25 authorizing the board of control to procure quotes and enter one or more agreements without formal bidding to replace underwater pool lights and repaint the pool. Mr. Wheeler said work will focus on lights inside the pool basin and that the administration plans to hire local contractors for painting and a pool-specialty firm for the underwater fixtures; the resolution was declared an emergency so work can be scheduled quickly.

Ordinance B25, an amendment to the codified ordinances addressing solicitor registration, restricted hours and penalties, was placed on second reading. The only substantive change noted by the presenter was an increase to the penalty schedule: the fine was raised from $50 to $150 for the initial offense and repeated violations within 12 months may escalate to a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The police chief who would normally speak to enforcement details was not present; council members did not move to adopt B25 at this meeting.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 09-25 (2025 appropriations): Adopted; declared an emergency to take effect immediately. - Ordinance B25 (solicitor registration and penalties): Placed on second reading; penalty amounts increased in the draft, third reading pending. - Resolution 11-25 (Enterprise Zone amendment — Big Heart Pet Inc.): Adopted after suspension of the three-reading rule; described as a technical amendment changing “created” to “retained” jobs and aligning language with the state agreement. - Resolution 12-25 (pool lights replacement and pool repaint): Adopted after suspension of the three-reading rule; authorizes board of control to procure quotes and enter agreements without formal bidding to complete the pool work.

Council members present voted to suspend the usual three-reading rules for the Enterprise Zone and pool resolutions before adopting them that same night. Where the transcript records roll calls, individual yes votes were recorded; the minutes should be consulted for an official roll-call tally.

Why this matters: The appropriations resolution sets legally authorized spending levels for the year and was adopted under emergency declaration to meet county deadlines. The Enterprise Zone amendment adjusts the city’s tax-abatement paperwork for an employer in the city; the pool work is an immediate capital project that will affect summer pool operations. The solicitor ordinance, if later adopted, would increase enforcement penalties for unauthorized solicitation and change enforcement options for police.

Next steps: The solicitor ordinance returns for further readings and the administration is expected to proceed with scheduling pool work and with any follow-up reporting tied to the appropriation and capital projects.