Xenia council approves emergency budget changes, paving contracts and telecom upgrade; tables reserve-policy vote

XENIA, Ohio — The Xenia City Council at its March 27 meeting approved several spending and contracting items and delayed action on a proposed change to the city’s financial-reserve policy.

Council voted to adopt an emergency appropriation ordinance to cover two items from 2024 — a $50,000 art-consultant expense tied to the Market District project and a $30,000 payout for dispatcher stipends — and passed a resolution to waive competitive bidding and purchase replacement telephony equipment from ComNet Solutions for $138,270.78. Council also waived bidding to award additional 2025 street rehabilitation work to John R. Jurgensen Company and introduced an ordinance granting pipeline easements to CenterPoint Energy (doing business as Vectren) across two small city-owned parcels on West Church Street.

The meeting included extended discussion on street-paving strategy, how reserve policy affects street funding, and a law director caution about pending state legislation on short-term rentals.

The emergency appropriation ordinance was introduced by city staff to cover 2024 expenses that were not encumbered: a $50,000 art consultant tied to the Market District and $30,000 to complete a previously planned stipend payment for dispatchers. City staff said the dispatcher stipend was intended to be paid in two installments and that the second installment was due in 2025 because of staffing levels in late 2024. Council adopted the ordinance as an emergency measure.

Council approved a resolution to waive competitive bidding and award procurement of the city’s telephony back-end equipment to ComNet Solutions. City staff said ComNet…