North Ridgeville council adopts tax rates, fund transfers and budget amendments with emergency clauses

The North Ridgeville City Council on Monday adopted a set of financial measures — accepting property tax rates, authorizing fund transfers for water debt and approving a budget amendment — and added emergency clauses so payments and transfers could be made before month-end.

The measures are the final steps in the city’s annual budget process and were presented by the city’s Director of Finance as necessary to meet the county auditor’s October 31 deadline and to ensure funds are available for upcoming debt and lease payments.

Council approved Resolution 2025-141 to accept amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission; Resolution 2025-142 to transfer money from the water operating and water meter service funds to the water bond retirement fund to cover a note for the water meter replacement project; Resolution 2025-143 to authorize payment of various purchase orders including an annual lease payment for a 2024 Ford dump truck; and Ordinance 2025-144, a budget amendment that includes compensatory cash-outs for public works, property tax payments due to the North Ridgeville Library and appropriation of the two fund transfers authorized in 2025-142. Council added emergency clauses to each measure.

Director of Finance (unnamed in the public record) told council that the transfers for the water meter service fund are intended to support principal paydown of notes that mature Dec. 3, 2025, and urged adoption with emergency language so the city could meet its debt obligations. The director also explained that the library’s property taxes are collected by the city and must be forwarded to the library.

Council members moved and seconded motions to dispense with second and third readings and to adopt each measure with the emergency clause. On roll calls recorded during the meeting, Councilmembers Swank, Schaefer, Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries and Jacobs voted yes for the listed measures; motions carried and the measures were adopted. (On Ordinance 2025-127, a separate matter considered on third reading, Winkle recorded an abstention and the ordinance was adopted.)

Why it matters: the fund transfer for the water meter replacement note ensures the city can make a principal payment when the note matures this winter, and the budget amendment provides immediate appropriations for payroll-related cash-outs and for property taxes that the city forwards to the municipal library.

Council President and the Director of Finance framed these votes as routine but time-sensitive steps to keep the city’s fiscal obligations current. No council member raised objections during discussion of the emergency language; a few members asked clarifying questions about timing and penalties if payments were delayed.

The meeting packet also listed several ordinances on second reading, including upgrades at the French Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and an ordinance authorizing issuance of up to $4,025,000 in notes for ultrasonic water meter equipment; those items remained at second reading and were not acted on Monday.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-141 (accepting amounts and rates determined by the budget commission): adopted with emergency clause; roll-call recorded as Yes — Councilmembers Swank, Schaefer, Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries, Jacobs. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2025-142 (fund transfers from water operating and water meter service funds to water bond retirement fund to cover water meter project note maturing 12/03/2025): adopted with emergency clause; roll-call recorded as Yes — Councilmembers Swank, Schaefer, Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries, Jacobs. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2025-143 (authorize payment of amounts due for purchase orders; annual lease payment for 2024 Ford dump truck): adopted with emergency clause; roll-call recorded as Yes — Councilmembers Swank, Schaefer, Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries, Jacobs. Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 2025-144 (amend 2025 appropriations to include compensatory cash-outs for public works, property taxes due to North Ridgeville Library, and appropriation of transfers authorized in 2025-142): adopted with emergency clause; roll-call recorded as Yes — Councilmembers Swank, Schaefer, Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries, Jacobs. Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 2025-127 (amend chapter 1446, contractor registration; third reading): adopted; roll-call recorded with one abstention by Winkle. Outcome: adopted.

What’s next: Council will revisit the second-reading items, including wastewater plant equipment contracts and the proposed notes for ultrasonic water meters, at a future meeting. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Ending note: During the meeting the mayor also reminded the public about Issue 8, the proposed income tax increase on the Nov. 4 ballot, and the city’s October 28 town hall on the issue; those items were presented separately by the mayor and are summarized in the meeting minutes.