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Worcester council adopts income-tax update, multiple resurfacing contracts and traffic map amendments
Summary
On Oct. 6 the Worcester City Council approved an amendment to the city income-tax code, accepted several ODOT-funded street-resurfacing agreements and updated the city traffic-control map; all measures passed on unanimous roll calls presented at the meeting.
Worcester City Council on Oct. 6 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions that the council said were largely clerical updates or steps needed to accept outside grant funds and align traffic control records.
The council adopted Ordinance 2025-14, which updates the municipal income-tax code to align with Chapter 718 of the Ohio Revised Code and adds a filing exemption for individual residents with no municipal taxable income. Council also added language the agenda described as the state’s “Haslam rule,” governing disclosures related to major sports facilities.
Council members said the change is largely technical. “Long story short, this is designed for senior citizens that have no taxable income,” Council member Mr. Abernathy said while describing the filing exemption. The ordinance was placed on third and final reading, the rules were suspended and the measure was adopted by roll call.
The council also approved two related resurfacing measures to accept Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) large-cities funds. Resolution 2025-59 authorizes advertising for bids and entering a contract for resurfacing multiple streets, with an estimated total project cost of $1,000,000 and $494,493 expected from ODOT’s large cities program. Resolution 2025-60 authorizes the administration to enter a Local Public Agency (LPA) agreement with ODOT for FY2027 resurfacing projects; the council notes the ODOT contribution is generally an 80/20 split capped at about $500,000 per project.
“I’m never one to turn down money when it’s given to us,” Council member Ms. Wharton said in support of accepting ODOT funding.
Finally, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-15 to amend the city’s traffic-control file and map so the official traffic-control documents match recent field changes and ongoing projects, including work on South Street and Silver Road. Council members characterized this item as a formality to align the city’s records with completed and in-progress traffic work.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-53 (accepting Group C recommendations of the Worcester Tax Incentive Review Council): Adopted (roll call: Mr. Abernathy — yes; Ms. Wharton — yes; Ms. Knappick — yes; Mr. Malta — yes; Mr. Jose — yes; Mr. Gaffey — yes). - Ordinance 2025-14 (amending Chapter 1701, income tax, to correspond with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 718): Adopted (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 2025-59 (authorize bid and contract for pavement resurfacing of certain city streets): Adopted (unanimous roll call). Estimated total project cost cited at $1,000,000; ODOT share $494,493. - Resolution 2025-60 (enter cooperative LPA agreement with ODOT for resurfacing, FY2027): Adopted (unanimous roll call). Council cited an 80/20 funding split capped at roughly $500,000. - Ordinance 2025-15 (amend traffic-control file to enact Traffic Commission recommendations): Adopted (unanimous roll call).
All adopted measures were allowed for immediate enactment where noted and recorded during the Oct. 6 meeting. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20.
