Canton Commission approves appropriation ordinance, updates personnel manual and sets nuisance-assessment hearing

The Canton City Commission at its meeting approved the second reading of appropriation ordinance 02/2026, adopted a revised city personnel manual, set a public hearing for special assessments related to nuisance abatements for Oct. 20, 2025, approved purchasing additional BoardDocs (Diligent) access blocks for other boards, and voted to table a housing-study contract pending corrected attachments.

The appropriation ordinance (02/2026) completed its second reading and was approved by roll call; the ordinance will be published Sept. 25 and, if published as stated in the meeting, is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The commission also approved a revised personnel manual that replaces references to “city manager” with “city administrator,” incorporates elements of last year’s union contract, and authorizes staff to incorporate future contractual and grammatical updates without returning to the commission for each minor change.

Votes at a glance: - Appropriation ordinance 02/2026 (second reading): approved by roll call; publication scheduled for Sept. 25; effective date Jan. 1, 2026. - Personnel manual revision: approved by roll call; includes role-title language changes and a provision to incorporate future union contract changes administratively. - Resolution setting hearing for nuisance-abatement special assessments: hearing set for Oct. 20, 2025; public notice to be sent to affected property owners and published as required. - BoardDocs/Diligent: commission approved adding extra access blocks so additional city boards can post agendas through the BoardDocs service (purchase terms discussed as annual). - Housing study and service agreement with Porchlight Services: motion to table until the statement-of-work attachment and service agreement are provided and reviewed.

Commissioners recorded “aye” votes during roll calls on the actions listed above. Commission discussion on these items was brief: staff noted the personnel manual included a clean and a marked-up version for commissioners to review; staff also said the BoardDocs expansion is likely an annual cost and that the city currently uses two of five included access blocks.

The resolution to set the nuisance-abatement special-assessment hearing followed staff explanation that the city incurs contractor costs for mowing, cleanup and structural inspection when abating nuisances; unpaid bills may be assessed to property under the city’s special-assessment process. The commission set a public hearing for Oct. 20, 2025 to consider final assessments and possible adjustments.

The commission voted to table the housing study contract after commissioners noted the packet included a blank “Exhibit A – Statement of Work.” Staff said corrected attachments would be sent to Rick Nelson for review before the item returns to the commission.

Less consequential, the consent calendar and adjournment motions were approved by roll call during the meeting.

The commission did not adopt other new ordinances or appoint officials at this meeting. Future agendas will carry the housing-study contract (with corrected attachments) and follow-up items related to nuisance assessments and the personnel manual as needed.