West Carrollton council authorizes 2025 sidewalk repairs bidding, approves intergovernmental bylaws changes and corrects fire-levy ballot language

The West Carrollton City Council voted unanimously to authorize advertising for bids and spending in excess of $75,000 for the city's 2025 curb, gutter and sidewalk repair program, to approve revisions to the First Suburbs consortium's bylaws, and to amend previous ballot language for a fire and emergency medical services levy renewal.

The measures were introduced and approved as Resolutions 10-2025, 11-2025 and 12-2025. City staff said the sidewalk program has $650,000 budgeted for 2025; the levy amendment corrects a clerical error in earlier ballot language and reflects a 3.9-mill renewal the city intends to place on the May 2025 ballot that staff estimates would generate about $725,000 a year.

Resolution 10-2025 authorizes the city manager to advertise for bids and to expend more than $75,000 for the 2025 curb, gutter and sidewalk repair program. "This resolution authorizes the city manager to advertise for bids and spend over $75,000 for the 2025 curb, gutter, and sidewalk repair program. The city has budgeted $650,000 for this annual program," City staff said during the meeting. Councilors were provided a map of the area scheduled for repairs in the meeting packet.

Resolution 11-2025 approves revisions to the bylaws of the First Suburbs consortium of Dayton, Ohio council of governments. City staff said the consortium's governing board unanimously approved the changes on Oct. 23, 2024 and that this is the first bylaws update since February 2017; bylaw amendments must be approved by each member community before they take effect.

Resolution 12-2025 amends Resolution 4-2025 to correct ballot language for a fire and emergency medical services levy renewal. City staff said the change is clerical and that the measure is a renewal at the same rate, not a new tax. The resolution updates the earlier declaration of necessity so the corrected language can be submitted to the Board of Elections for placement on the May 2025 ballot.

All three resolutions passed unanimously on voice and roll-call votes. Councilors who recorded votes in favor included Missus Zenny, Mister Dobson, Missus Freiman, Mister Tilton, Mister Boyle and Mayor Barnhart. Motions and seconds recorded in the minutes: Resolution 10-2025 was moved by Missus Grama and seconded by Missus Zenny; Resolution 11-2025 was moved by Mayor Barnhart and seconded by Mister Tilton; Resolution 12-2025 was moved by Missus Freiman and seconded by Mister Boyle.

Following the votes, the council recessed to a publicly announced work session and then recessed to an executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(3) (conferences with an attorney about pending or imminent court action) and 121.22(G)(4) (to review negotiations or bargaining with public employees). The council voted to enter the executive session and then returned later for adjournment.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 10-2025 (Authorize bids and spending > $75,000 for 2025 curb, gutter and sidewalk repair program): moved Missus Grama; second Missus Zenny; outcome: approved (unanimous). Budgeted amount stated: $650,000; map of repair area in council packet.

- Resolution 11-2025 (Approve revisions to First Suburbs consortium bylaws): moved Mayor Barnhart; second Mister Tilton; outcome: approved (unanimous). Consortium governing board approval: Oct. 23, 2024; first bylaws change since Feb. 2017.

- Resolution 12-2025 (Amend Resolution 4-2025 to correct ballot language for a fire and EMS renewal levy): moved Missus Freiman; second Mister Boyle; outcome: approved (unanimous). Described as a 3.9-mill renewal expected to generate about $725,000 per year; intended for the May 2025 ballot; described by council as a renewal, not a new tax.

No other formal actions or roll-call exceptions were recorded in the minutes portion of the meeting.

Background: The council approved the meeting minutes from Jan. 28, 2025 at the start of the session and had no public hearings or presentations scheduled. City staff also noted that city offices will be closed Monday for Presidents' Day and listed upcoming community events later in the meeting packet.