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Tiffin council to put continuation of 0.25% income-tax for streets on ballot; several ordinances passed unanimously
Summary
The Tiffin City Council voted to place a measure on the ballot to continue an existing quarter-percent municipal income tax for street maintenance, and approved multiple ordinances including emergency passage for park work, a street sweeper lease, a curb-lawn restoration program and a budget amendment. One major ordinance was tabled.
Tiffin — The Tiffin City Council voted unanimously to place a measure on the ballot that would convert an existing one-quarter percent municipal income tax for street and bridge purposes to a continuous levy.
The council adopted Resolution 2025-2, which declares the necessity of holding an election on amending sections 197.012 and 197.013 of the codified ordinances to continue the quarter-percent municipal income tax; the resolution passed after roll-call votes on the emergency clause and on final passage.
Councilmembers also approved several ordinances during the meeting, including emergency and suspension votes to accelerate projects: - Ordinance 2025-7, authorizing a lease-purchase agreement for a 2025 Bucher CityCat 5006 street sweeper, passed under suspension and emergency and then on final passage by unanimous vote. Officials said passing under suspension allows the city to secure lower interest rates. - Ordinance 2025-8, to authorize the curb-lawn restoration program using an urban forestry grant and declaring an emergency, passed unanimously; city staff said the program is voluntary and limited and will assist property owners in removing gravel parking areas in the public right-of-way. - Ordinance 2025-11, authorizing the Applejack Park project (plans, solicitation of bids and contract authorization) passed under suspension and on final passage; presenters said part of the project will be funded through a Community Development Block Grant and additional city funds. - Ordinance 2025-12, an amendment to the 2025 budget to appropriate donations, insurance reimbursements and grant awards into department budgets, passed under suspension and on final passage.
The council tabled Ordinance 2025-5, the companion ordinance to Resolution 2025-2 that would amend the codified ordinance sections to implement the continuous tax, until after the May primary. Councilmembers said the tabled ordinance will remain off the calendar until after the election results are known.
Other first readings and committee referrals occurred: Ordinance 2025-6 (participation in the ODAP road salt contracts) and Ordinance 2025-9 (professional design services for Sandusky River and Rock Creek wall maintenance) had first readings and were not acted on for final passage.
Why it matters: The ballot measure would change an expiring renewal schedule into a continuous revenue stream earmarked for maintaining and improving city streets and bridges. The council’s use of suspension and emergency provisions accelerated procurement and construction work that city officials said is time-sensitive or tied to grant deadlines.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-2 (place continuous 0.25% municipal income tax for streets on ballot): emergency vote passed; final passage passed. Vote: unanimous (7–0). - Ordinance 2025-5 (amend sections 197.012 and 197.013 to continue tax): motion to table passed 7–0. - Ordinance 2025-7 (street sweeper lease-purchase): suspension, emergency and passage all passed 7–0. - Ordinance 2025-8 (curb-lawn restoration program / urban forestry grant): suspension, emergency and passage all passed 7–0. - Ordinance 2025-11 (Applejack Park plans/bids/contract; CDBG-funded): suspension, emergency and passage all passed 7–0. - Ordinance 2025-12 (budget amendment to appropriate donations, reimbursements, grants): suspension and passage passed 7–0. - Ordinance 2025-6 (ODAP road salt contract) and Ordinance 2025-9 (river/creek wall design RFQ): first readings only; no final votes recorded.
Council members and staff emphasized that use of emergency and suspension votes was intended to lock favorable financing rates or meet grant or construction schedules. Several items carried little deliberation and passed by unanimous roll call.
