Rossford highlights economic growth, approves fireworks appropriation and advances school demolition plan

Rossford City Council on April 28 heard a state-of-the-city presentation from City Administrator Allison Murray detailing rapid growth in general-fund revenue and large planned capital projects, approved an emergency appropriation to fund a community balloon and fireworks festival, and held a first reading to award the contract to demolish the former Indian Hills School.

Murray told the council that Rossford’s general fund revenue nearly doubled from about $7 million in 2020 to $13.5 million in 2024 and credited economic development for the increase. “For 2025, the city of Rossford is doing amazing,” Murray said, adding that more than $250 million in new business investment and an increase in jobs from roughly 4,500 to more than 13,000 workers have helped fund public safety and street work.

The appropriation measure council adopted by suspending the usual second and third readings (Ordinance 2025-30) provides the city’s CDBG contribution for the balloon and fireworks festival previously approved by council. Councilmembers recorded voice votes in favor (Councilmember Echol: aye; Councilmember Rachel Tinney: aye; Councilmember Zach Owen: aye; Councilmember Bob Toth: aye). No opposing votes were recorded in the transcript. The ordinance was adopted the same evening as an emergency appropriation.

Why it matters: Murray and staff framed economic development as the main revenue source for the city’s general fund—money that pays for police, fire and residential streets—and reviewed a slate of infrastructure and safety projects the city plans to advance in 2025–2026.

What council and staff reported

Economic development and city finances - Murray said the city’s general fund grew from just under $7 million in 2020 to $13.5 million in 2024 and that the increase since Mayor Veil MacKinnon took office in 2011 represents a 165% rise in general-fund revenue. - Murray cited more than $250 million in new business investment in the past five years and said the number of employees working in Rossford rose from about 4,500 to more than 13,000.

Public-safety staffing and programs - The Finance & Insurance Committee recommended adding four full-time firefighters. Fire Chief Rick Siroca told the committee the net additional cost would be $166,115. The committee recommended hiring the full-time positions; the council previously approved the first eight full-time hires and the chief reported active recruitment for four more. - The police department proposed converting a part-time interdiction officer into a full-time interdiction officer; committee notes reported net collections of $908,000 over the last three years and committee support for making the position full time with periodic reassessment.

Parks, recreation and senior services - Parks & Recreation reported new hires (Kathy Shelt as office manager; Denny Foy as senior liaison/community liaison) and program updates including youth soccer, adult softball, an Egg Hunt and a mid-summer playground installation at Beach Street. The recreation center will be closed May 6 for voting.

Public works and downtown projects - Public Works and consultant Tetra Tech discussed two ODOT-partnered roundabouts and downtown changes: an estimated $2,575,000 project for the State Route 65/Bergen Street roundabout (staff noted a $448,000 grant from “Team Macauge” and a $487,500 OPWC grant; the city portion from the TIF was cited as $1,639,500 with $4,000,000 currently in the TIF fund). Council and staff discussed angled parking options to retain spaces downtown. - Other planned capital work includes a $600,000 pedestrian hybrid beacon project for the downtown crosswalk (the city said it received $544,000 in grant funding), the Buck and Glenwood roundabout (estimated $2,900,000, ODOT partnership), and multiple residential street reconstructions and drainage projects planned for 2025–2026.

Marina and bridge investments - City officials said more than $1,000,000 has been invested in the Rossford Marina since 2020, including dock extensions, a kayak/paddleboard launch and a new pump-out station; a solar-lit river pathway is planned for late summer 2025. - The Lime City Road bridge replacement completed in fall 2024 was reported at just under $8,000,000 with a city share of $348,000; project partners listed included ODOT, Perrysburg Township, Penta Career Center and the Wood County Port Authority.

Indian Hills School demolition (first reading) - Council conducted a first reading of Ordinance 2025-31 to award the lowest bid for demolition of the former Indian Hills School and declared it an emergency for procurement timelines. Allison Murray said the site’s 53.504 acres and mature trees limit feasible reuses and urged a prompt demolition to ready the site for future improvement; council discussion encouraged community assistance on trail refurbishment but did not adopt the ordinance the same night.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-30 (amendment to the annual appropriation/supplemental number 8 — CDBG contribution for balloon and fireworks): readings suspended and adopted as an emergency (voice votes recorded: Echol — aye; Tinney — aye; Owen — aye; Toth — aye). Mover/second not specified on the record. Outcome: approved/adopted. - Ordinance 2025-31 (authorize award of contract for demolition of former Indian Hills School; declared emergency): read by title; discussion held; no final vote shown in the transcript (first reading only).

Discussion vs. decision - Discussion items: downtown parking and roundabout design, street resurfacing plans, marina amenities, school-site reuse options and trail refurbishment needs. - Directions/assignments: Public Works will continue street-evaluation work in May–June and committee members asked for cost comparisons for Rinker Court options (concrete vs. asphalt). Staff also reported upcoming bid openings for several projects and the planned shift of the public-works facility to Wales Road. - Formal action: the council adopted Ordinance 2025-30 by suspending readings and voting to adopt the emergency appropriation. Ordinance 2025-31 remained at first reading.

What to watch next - Bid openings and contractor awards for demolition of Indian Hills School (Ordinance 2025-31) and several road projects noted for May and June; Public Works will present the five-year paving plan in upcoming meetings. The council also signaled ongoing follow-up on roundabout funding and parking mitigation downtown.

Ending - The meeting ended after committee reports, the mayor and administrator reports, and the two ordinance items. Council adjourned following routine remarks and a motion to adjourn.