The Akron Budget & Finance Committee met in the afternoon and advanced a broad consent package that included four separate debt issuances and several procurement measures while postponing detailed action on a procurement change and a city budget amendment.

Mr. Fricker introduced the first of four annual various-purpose debt ordinances, a $3,000,000 note issuance to fund the local match for state demolition grants covering both residential and commercial demolitions. He said, “This is our annual various purpose debt issuance,” noting the larger package will separately address public facilities, parks and streets.

The committee then approved on consent a $5,000,000 ordinance for municipal buildings and facilities. Mr. Fricker cited projects such as parking decks, Fire Station 12, Canal Park Stadium improvements and a municipal building generator. Councilwoman Linda Amobian asked whether the old building across from Acme associated with Fire Station 12 would be demolished or sold; Mr. Fricker said the city is trying to sell the building to support construction of a new station.

A $2,000,000 ordinance for parks and recreation and an $8,000,000 transportation issuance were described in turn and added to the consent agenda. Mr. Fricker said the parks funds will support Akron Parks Challenge projects, community center improvements and the Rubber City Heritage Trail; the transportation plan covers resurfacing, the Exchange Street and North Main Street projects and work on the Bowery Bridge.

Mr. Wheeler presented procurement legislation that would allow the purchasing agent to enter agreements without formal bidding for small-dollar supplies with vendors such as WB Mason, Granger and Amazon, using Workday to speed routine orders. He said these purchases are typically capped at $15,000 or less. “It really speeds up the process to make it a matter of minutes rather than days,” Wheeler said. Councilman Bruce Bolton asked whether there is a cap; staff confirmed the $15,000 threshold is the typical definition for small-dollar purchases.

The committee also approved an annual authorization for software subscriptions and maintenance through Dec. 31, 2026, covering products such as Office 365, Adobe and Workday, and an annual bid ordinance for competitively procured materials and services (contracts not to exceed five years).

Item 9—a one-year authorization for miscellaneous supplies, services and equipment maintenance—prompted more discussion. Mr. Wheeler told the committee a last-minute change in the information-technology section required a substitute ordinance to be introduced next week; the committee voted to take time on that item to allow staff to present the corrected language. Members also asked about tire-disposal reporting for a named vendor; staff said they would review the contract language and confirm disposal or recycling practices.

On the final agenda item, staff presented an amendment to ordinance 107-2025, which establishes the city’s 2025 appropriations. Teresa Klein, audit and budget manager, and Mr. Wheeler said the amendment responds largely to higher-than-expected cost-of-living increases across divisions, added public-works equipment, and additional grant awards. Wheeler said the amendment would allow drawing roughly $8,000,000 in ARPA interest to supplant general-fund balance and help cover police and fire salaries, and that Project Acorn costs will be covered as reimbursable grant spending. Councilman Fusco asked whether $125,000 for the municipal court clerk was for the Tyler Odyssey implementation; staff confirmed that allocation is to finish implementation.

Committee members voted to take time on the budget amendment for additional review rather than vote on the ordinance that day. With no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting; the clerk noted the city council will meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m.

The committee roster at the start of the meeting included Council members Lombardo, Linda Amobian, Fusco, Tina Boyse and Bolden. Several items were advanced on the consent agenda by voice vote; two items—the procurement IT substitute and the ordinance amending the 2025 appropriations—were deferred for follow-up and will return to a future meeting for final action.