Kent City Council recorded a series of formal actions at the meeting. Below are the motions and outcomes as stated in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of the 2026 tax budget (resolution to submit tax budget to the county auditor): Motion to approve carried. Council later convened a special meeting to adopt the tax‑budget resolution (draft 2025‑055) with the emergency clause; the special meeting roll call recorded unanimous “Yes” votes from present council members (see provenance below). The tax budget filing is an administrative step to provide the county an estimate of resources; it is not the final 2026 operating budget.

- Outdoor‑seating program amendments (amendments to bring guidelines current with liquor‑service and ADA clearance rules): Council voted to authorize the changes with the emergency clause; motion passed by voice vote.

- Continuation (renewal) of the downtown designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA): Council moved and seconded renewal with the emergency clause and approved it by voice vote.

- Grant application: FEMA/Department of Homeland Security staffing grant (to add three full‑time firefighter positions): Council approved staff’s request to apply for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)‑style grant with emergency clause; motion carried by voice vote. Staff indicated the grant would cover a significant share of personnel costs for the first three years, with the city absorbing higher shares thereafter if awarded.

- OPWC application: Council approved submission of an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant/no‑interest‑loan application for the North Manaway Street project (grant portion $850,000; $150,000 no‑interest loan). Motion passed with the emergency clause.

- Special event permits: Council approved a road closure and related permit for “The Longest Table” (planned for Aug. 3) and a revised permit for “Grill for Good” (Sept. 13) — both motions were approved by voice vote.

What council approved and what remains

Most items were procedural or grant/permit approvals; several require follow‑up staff work (for example, the FEMA grant requires application submission and, if awarded, later budget appropriation). The tax‑budget filing must be forwarded to the county auditor by the statutory deadline; staff noted the council’s formal adoption at the special meeting satisfied the county filing requirement.

Ending

Council approved the motions as listed; staff will return with implementation documents, formal grant applications and budget appropriation requests where needed.