New Carlisle council pauses decision on allowing firearms in municipal buildings after staff objections and estimated $25,000 insurance cost

City of New Carlisle council members asked the city manager to collect insurance quotes and other details before deciding whether to allow members of the public to carry firearms in municipal buildings.

The discussion began when the city manager presented a memo that estimated roughly $25,000 in increased insurance costs if the city removed “no firearms” restrictions from its buildings. City Manager Jake Kitko told council that the figures and liability implications needed further review and that he would call insurers and municipal peers for options.

The matter drew extended comments from council members and employees. Victoria, who identified herself as the city finance clerk, told council she has worked in the finance office for almost 16 years and that the public-facing window at the finance office leaves staff exposed. "If someone walks in and is extremely distressed — we all had to get to the back of the office because we didn't know what he was going to do," Victoria said. She asked council not to remove the signage that tells visitors firearms are not permitted in the office, saying staff have only mace as a defensive measure and that taking down the sign would “speak volumes.”

Councilman Vaughn framed the matter as a constitutional and identity issue for the city and said he was not comfortable spending $25,000 of taxpayer money to allow carry that is already legal under state law. Other council members said they wanted to differentiate allowing the public to carry from any later question about employee carry, which would be a separate policy decision.

Several council members also raised concern that allowing firearms in certain rented facilities (pavilion or shelter houses) could increase insurance exposure and that removing a sign could reduce public attendance at civic meetings and volunteer committees.

Council directed the city manager to gather additional information on insurance costs and options, to ask whether other Ohio municipal insurers charge an up‑charge, and to return with recommendations. No ordinance was introduced and no change was adopted at the meeting.

The city manager said he would also research whether other jurisdictions that permit firearms in municipal buildings limit public carry to the public only and prohibit employee carry, and whether those jurisdictions faced litigation or required additional payroll or training protocols.