Bellbrook council adopts emergency supplemental appropriation to cover insurance increase and museum donations

Bellbrook City Council on Monday adopted Ordinance 2025‑O‑10 at introduction to add supplemental appropriations for higher property-and-casualty insurance premiums and for anticipated museum donations. City Manager Rob told council the ordinance takes effect immediately under an emergency clause to allow prompt payment.

Rob said the city’s membership in the Miami Valley Risk Management Association produced an insurance renewal “a little bit higher than what was expected and anticipated,” creating a need for roughly a $10,000 supplemental for property-and-casualty premiums. He also said the ordinance appropriates $7,500 in anticipated donations for a museum bicentennial event, and that the appropriation levels are set in Exhibit A attached to the ordinance.

The ordinance amends Ordinance 2024‑O‑14, which set the 2025 annual budget, and includes an emergency clause so the funds can be used immediately. Rob described the emergency clause as an operational step to let the city “make payment due on bills” and to renew insurance without delay.

On the council roll call, Councilwoman Cyphers, Councilman Greenwood, Councilman Harding, Councilman Hoke, Deputy Mayor Deborah Havens and Mayor Schweller voted in favor. Councilman Ashley was excused. The motion carried on a voice/roll‑call vote and the ordinance will take effect immediately upon adoption.

The ordinance text as read cites compliance with public‑meeting law and refers to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 for open‑meeting requirements.

Council members and staff said the supplemental will be tracked transparently and that the museum appropriation is tied to incoming donations and a planned August event for the museum’s bicentennial.