Circleville City Council approves opioid, budget and personnel measures; zoning and contracts advance

Circleville City Council on a roll-call vote approved a series of ordinances and resolutions at its March meeting, taking final action on personnel, budget and development items and authorizing use of opioid-settlement funds for public-safety needs.

Council approved a resolution authorizing the use of opioid-settlement funds for the Circleville Police Department, and passed a set of ordinances and resolutions including creation of clerk and assistant-clerk positions, several parcel additions to the Circleville New Community Authority (NCA), a zoning change to a Planned Unit Development (PUD), and a labor agreement reopen for the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (OPBA). Council also approved routine appropriation measures and voted to authorize a small grant application for historical records work.

Why it matters: The opioid-settlement allocation and appropriation measures commit one-time and recurring dollars for public-safety equipment and city operations. The zoning and NCA additions clear the way for planned development and potential infrastructure financing under the New Community Authority framework. The labor agreement establishes pay changes for represented employees and includes a contingency tied to levies.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/second, outcome)

- Ordinance establishing the position of clerk of council (third reading; assigned 03/10/2025). Motion for passage by Sherry Theiss; seconded by Jeff Hallinan. Outcome: ordinance passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Ordinance establishing the position of assistant clerk of council (third reading; assigned 03/11/2025). Motion for passage by Jeff Hallinan; seconded by Tom Klitzka. Outcome: ordinance passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Resolution approving addition of parcels (Doctor Horton property) to the Circleville New Community Authority under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 349 (third and final reading; assigned 03/11/2025). Motion for passage by Katie Hedges; seconded by Sherry Theiss. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Resolution approving addition of parcels (Heritage Commons property) to the Circleville New Community Authority (third and final reading; assigned 03/12/2025). Motion for passage by John Moats; seconded by Audrey Lukaszak. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Resolution approving addition of parcels (South Forest Street property) to the Circleville New Community Authority (third and final reading; assigned 03/13/2025). Motion for passage by John Moats; seconded by Jeff Hallinan. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Ordinance adopting annual appropriation adjustments and capital improvements (third and final reading; assigned 03/14/2025). Finance committee recommended passage. The ordinance lists a total of $157,437.11 and highlights a $20,000 appropriation for paramedic training and a $23,760 grant reimbursement in Fund 206. Motion for passage by Tom Klitzka; seconded by Sherry Theiss. Outcome: ordinance passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Ordinance rezoning multiple parcels to PUD (Alto PUD, Atwater Road; third and final reading; assigned 03/15/2025). Planning staff said the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a unanimous recommendation. Motion for passage by Tom Klitzka; seconded by Katie Hedges. Outcome: ordinance passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Ordinance implementing a labor wage reopener agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (OPBA) (second reading; finance committee). The agreement implements a $1 per hour increase awarded in fact-finding and includes a 3% increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and a further 3% the next fiscal year, with an agreed restriction on reopening absent a levy. Council suspended rules and voted to adopt. Motion for passage by Katie Hedges; seconded by Sherry Theiss. Outcome: ordinance passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Resolution authorizing use of opioid-settlement funds to Haven House ($10,000 request; first reading carried to immediate action by suspension of rules; assigned 03/17/2025). Motion for passage by Katie Hedges; seconded by Tom Klitzka. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes). The resolution includes a condition that recipients report on how funds were used.

- Resolution authorizing the clerk to file an application with the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board for possible financial assistance (grant application; first reading; $5,000 grant discussed). Motion for passage by Jeff Hallinan; seconded by Sherry Theiss after suspension of rules. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

- Ordinance submitting the annual appropriation ordinance (first reading; assigned 03/19/2025) was sent back to the Finance Committee for additional review rather than being acted on this evening. Motion to refer back to Finance by Katie Hedges; seconded by Jeff Hallinan. Outcome: referred to Finance Committee (roll call approved).

- Resolution authorizing use of opioid-settlement funds for the Circleville Police Department (assigned 03/20/2025). Council approved use of settlement funds for a canine program, a vehicle and vehicle upfitting and property/evidence room work; additional renovation costs for the police facility were discussed with outside contributions mentioned. Motion for passage by Katie Hedges; seconded by Tom Klitzka. Outcome: resolution passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

Other formal actions

- Motion to excuse council member Tom Duval from the meeting. Moved by John Moats; seconded by (recorded). Outcome: motion passed by voice vote.

- Motion to enter executive session for contract negotiations under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1) and for security and emergency protocols (internet-related). Motion made by Katie Hedges and seconded by Jeff Hallinan; roll call approved. Outcome: council entered executive session.

Context and next steps: Many items were routine, carried unanimous roll-call approval, and reflect ongoing city operations — staffing, small grants, development approvals and public-safety equipment. The rezoning to a PUD will return to Planning and Zoning for final development approval if council’s ordinance is recorded per the planning process. The appropriation package sent back to Finance will be considered at the committee’s next scheduled meeting.

Ending: The meeting closed with approval of the executive-session motion; council proceeded to executive session and will reconvene only to adjourn.