Tallmadge City Council on May 22 left in second reading an ordinance (Ordinance 2025-53) that would raise municipal water rates, saying council members and staff need more time to review financial projections.

The measure, sponsored by the director of public service and the director of finance, is intended to replenish the city’s water fund after recent debt and planned capital improvements related to the water tower, Councilman Donald Pavlik said. “So with that we will leave ordinance 20 25-53 in second reading,” Pavlik said.

Why it matters: Raising rates would be the first multi-year adjustment in more than a decade and is presented as a response to both existing debt service and near-term capital needs for the water system.

More details: Ms. Gilbride, the director of finance, told council she previously provided a presentation on the water fund and reviewed historical rate activity. Records she cited show a 3% increase in February 2006 and a multi-year increase that culminated in 2012; she summarized earlier increases around 2010–2012 as steps in a multi-year plan. Ms. Gilbride and Pavlik said the need for new revenue is driven in part by recent borrowing to repair the water tower and by ongoing capital projects.

Discussion vs. decision: Council decided only to keep the ordinance at second reading to allow additional review and to give the new council member time to consider the materials; no vote to adopt new rates occurred. Ms. Gilbride encouraged council members to contact finance staff with questions and offered to meet individually with members for further explanation.

Next steps: The ordinance will return for further consideration at a later meeting, including a possible third reading and a formal vote if council moves forward.