Finance committee advances $6 million transfer to City Hall/Justice Center fund, approves police vehicle appropriation and sends insurance renewal to readings

The Finance & Personnel committee on June 2 moved multiple budget items to the council agenda, including an appropriation and transfer of $6,000,000 into the City Hall/Justice Center project fund, a request from the police chief to appropriate $57,000 for an outfitted Ford Explorer, and legislation authorizing the mayor to renew insurance coverage with Wicker Insurance Company for one year pending finalized rates.

Jeremy Flaker, finance director, requested the $6,000,000 appropriation and subsequent transfer into the City Hall/Justice Center capital budget. Committee members asked whether transferring the money would bind the funds to the project. Flaker said once transferred the money would be earmarked for the project but could be returned to the general fund if the project "falls apart," subject to grant/source restrictions: "if there were grants received for this, those would not be — we would have to return to the funder or not. If there's any money in there that was earmarked for that specific project, we can't keep it if the project doesn't go forward."

Chief Vincent Morber of the Barberton Police Department requested appropriation of $57,000 for a replacement outfitted Ford Explorer to replace a vehicle involved in multiple accidents; the committee referred the request to finance and called the item for council consideration.

The committee also approved moving forward with legislation authorizing the mayor to sign a one‑year insurance renewal with Wicker Insurance Company; committee members noted final premium amounts were still being negotiated and expected to be provided before the council readings, so that item will likely go to two readings.

Motions to call the appropriation, transfer and police vehicle items passed in committee by voice votes; no final council ordinance adoption was recorded at the June 2 meeting.