Councilors discussed the scope and funding for a proposed combined service/heat and fire complex after the city received a $4.5 million award.

A city official said $2,150,000 of the $4.5 million came from the state of Ohio; the fire department could take a loan with payments covered by an existing capital improvement levy rather than the general fund. Council members said an earlier, more ambitious $13 million plan will be scaled down (speaker estimates ranged around a $10 million redesign) to align with available funding.

Officials noted that the final footprint and departmental cost shares will be apportioned by square footage and usage after design work is completed; utilities and budget impacts cannot be calculated until those details are final. The mayoral representative said shovel‑ready plans exist for a site behind City Hall but the school site may be adaptable with modifications.

Separately, the council discussed a school building the city bought for $85,000. The Trumbull County Land Bank inspected the property; the transcript records that the city has up to $1,000,000 available for demolition (Brownfield funds) but would be responsible for roughly $225,000 out of pocket. Officials said mold remediation in parts of the building made renovation cost‑prohibitive and that demolition timelines tied to grant money impose a deadline for action.

Councilors agreed to hold public work sessions to review final design, cost allocations by department and transparency on grant restrictions before proceeding.