Mason City Council adopts 2025 fee schedule, approves subdivisions, service agreements and fleet purchases; backs OML challenge to AT&T tariff

Mason City Council on Jan. 13 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions that update city fees, accept subdivision work, authorize service agreements with local nonprofits, approve multiple fleet purchases and formally backed the Ohio Municipal League’s challenge to an AT&T tariff filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

The most consequential finance-related action was Ordinance 2025-1, which establishes the city’s 2025 fee schedule by applying a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) — previously set for city wages — to fees and charges for services. City Manager Eric said the COLA “initially applies to wages for non-union employees” and that the fee schedule is the administrative vehicle to apply that 2.5% change to user charges; minor rounding adjustments may be applied to avoid fractional-dollar fees.

Council also took routine development actions: Ordinance 2025-2 accepts the public improvements for the Ainsley subdivision (19 single-family lots, Ainsley Drive) contingent on a standard one-year maintenance bond, and Ordinance 2025-3 approves the final plat for the Ivy Lane subdivision (approximately 15 acres, 37 single-family lots) after planning commission contingencies are satisfied.

Two longstanding nonprofit service agreements were renewed. Ordinance 2025-4 authorizes an $8,000 service agreement with the Mason Historical Society (a program relationship dating to 1993 that includes certain membership benefits for community center premier members). Ordinance 2025-5 authorizes an…