Council discusses ordinance memorializing salt-storage arrangement with Findlay City Schools

Council received a first reading of Ordinance 2025-012, which would memorialize the use and monetary accounting of road salt between the city of Findlay and Findlay City Schools. Staff said the arrangement formalizes a long-standing practice: the city will purchase and store salt under its contract; when the school system requires a delivery (full load = ~25 tons), the school contacts the vendor to schedule delivery to the city's storage facility, and the schools pay the vendor directly. The city then tracks delivered loads and will bill the district for salt taken from the city barn.

City staff explained that the process will include a load ticket signed by a city street-department employee and a school official to document tonnage; the street department will track tonnage and invoice the schools monthly during the season. Staff said the city will also bill the schools for outstanding unpaid loads dating back to 2021 and 2022. The ordinance was presented to codify procedures so future staff and officials understand the established practice and the accounting method.

Councilmember Miss Frisci asked whether the ordinance needed to set a fixed rate; staff said rates are market-based and the city will continue to purchase salt under its contract and bill the district based on the vendor price and documented tonnage. Law Director Rob Feitner and the auditor's office were involved in drafting and reviewing the memorialization. The item was at first reading; council did not act to suspend rules at this meeting.