Council approves equipment purchases, contracts and multiple labor agreements; nine legislative items considered

Middletown City Council on March 18, 2025, unanimously approved a consent agenda and passed motion- and ordinance-level items ranging from vehicle and equipment purchases to collective bargaining agreements for police staff.

The council approved three motion-agenda purchases: a 2026 International HV507S cab truck and chassis for the Streets Maintenance Division at $106,828.43; roughly 800 residential Badger water meters at $133.94 each through a one-year contract (with two optional renewals); and a 2025 mowing contract with Grounds Pro of Westchester, Ohio, for $144,873. Council members voted unanimously on each motion.

In legislation, the council approved an extension of SmartBill Ltd.’s contract for printing and mailing water bills (emergency, second reading), and passed legislation to extend grounds maintenance contracts. Council designated the Butler County Regional Transit Authority as recipient of Federal Transit Administration and Ohio Department of Transportation funds for the Middletown urbanized area (resolution R2025-06). The council also approved collective bargaining agreements for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 36 for patrol officers (ordinance O2025-11) and for sergeants and lieutenants (ordinance O2025-12), both declared emergency and both approved. The council adopted a resolution to appoint the mayor/alternate to the Butler County 9-1-1 program review committee and approved a resolution updating appropriations to accommodate a state EMS grant for advanced burns training in the Fire Division (first reading for appropriations).

One notable legislative item — a proposed tax increment financing (TIF) district to support the Christo Townhomes development on the former Lincoln School site — was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing on May 6, 2025; council took no final action that evening. The staff report said the developer would pay upfront public-improvement costs and seek reimbursement from future TIF revenues; the city reported no direct financial impact if the TIF is approved. Council also advanced adoption of Supplement 16 to the city’s codified ordinances (first reading).

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: Approved (unanimous). - Motion A — 2026 International truck, Rush Truck Centers: Approved (unanimous); amount $106,828.43. - Motion B — ~800 Badger residential meters: Approved (unanimous); unit price $133.94; contract term 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 with two optional renewals. - Motion C — 2025 mowing contract, Grounds Pro: Approved (unanimous); total $144,873. - O2025-09 — SmartBill LTD contract extension (printing/mailing water bills): Approved (emergency, second reading); city mails ~18,500 water bills monthly; monthly cost ~ $8,500 plus $14,000 annually for supplies; council approved (unanimous). - O2025-10 — Grounds maintenance contract extensions: Approved (emergency, second reading) (unanimous). - R2025-06 — Designate Butler County RTA as federal/state funds recipient for Middletown urbanized area: Approved (unanimous). - O2025-11 — Collective bargaining agreement, FOP Lodge 36 (patrol officers), 11/01/2024–10/31/2027: Approved (emergency) (unanimous). Reported fiscal impact: ~ $400,000 to the general fund for personnel costs; ratification bonus $2,200; first-year wage increases of 8.8% then 4.5% in subsequent years; health-insurance cap updates; cannabis specifically included in drug-testing provisions. - O2025-12 — Collective bargaining agreement, FOP Lodge 36 (sergeants & lieutenants), 11/01/2024–10/31/2027: Approved (emergency) (unanimous). Reported fiscal impact for 2025 budget ~ $245,000; first-year step increases for sergeants (noted large initial step due to overlap/compression) and lieutenants; $2,200 ratification bonus; health-insurance cap updates. - R2025-07 — Butler County 9-1-1 program review committee appointments: Approved (unanimous). City will appoint the mayor as primary representative and the city manager as alternate for 05/01/2026–04/30/2027, per interlocal schedule among county cities. - R2025-08 — Proposed Christo Townhomes TIF process and public hearing set (no action; public hearing scheduled 05/06/2025). Staff said the developer covers upfront improvement costs to be reimbursed by TIF revenues; failure to create the TIF risks termination of the development agreement. - R2025-09 — Supplemental appropriations for Fire Division training (first reading): Presented; requested supplemental appropriation $3,264.88 from the unencumbered general fund to cover an Ohio EMS grant-funded advanced burns class (non-emergency, first reading). - O2025-13 — Adoption of 2024 Supplement 16 to the codified ordinances (first reading): Presented; first reading only.

What the council said about votes and next steps City staff reported funding sources and contract procurement details during staff reports. Multiple emergency declarations were requested so payments and retroactive pay related to lapsed police contracts could be implemented promptly. Several items were first readings or set hearings and will return to council for final action on future agendas.

Ending Council adjourned after approving appointments and setting the next regular meeting for April 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. Items scheduled for later action include the May 6 public hearing on the proposed Christo Townhomes TIF and routine first readings listed above.