Baberton City Council committees advanced a package of finance and personnel items at the Dec. 1 meeting, including a proposed five-year contract for court services, a personnel pay-grade change and several budget appropriations.

The Finance and Personnel Committee called for legislation to enter a five-year contract with Blue Technologies covering 01/01/2026 through 12/30/2030; the committee approved a motion to call the legislation with emergency wording and a single reading. Missus Thompson introduced the request on behalf of Court Administrator Robert Incroboti.

The committee also advanced a proposed amendment to Ordinance 15-2024 to move the director of human resources position from pay grade 9 to grade 8. Jamie Iceman, identified in the request as the city's safety and human resources director, prompted questions from council about whether the public safety director position would remain at grade 9 and how job duties would be redistributed; staff said a new job description and regrade would be written if the change proceeds.

Two fire-department items were called for in committee: approval of a $3,500 payment to GATCO for AFG grant preparation/administration fees, introduced by Chief David Palachuk, and an appropriation of $2,915.48 in EMS reimbursement from the State of Ohio back to the fire department budget, presented on behalf of Chief Qualachek. Both items were moved, seconded and approved in committee.

The committee also took up a utilities request from Interim Utilities Director Dennis Weaver to pay the Treasurer of the State of Ohio $16,090.36 for the city’s public water system license to operate at the water treatment plant; that item was passed out of committee for next-week council consideration with emergency wording and one reading requested.

Finally, the committee called for two appointments: Britney Kinsler to the Barberton Community Foundation board (Kinsler was present) and the reappointment of Missus Anne Hutchinson. Motions to call both appointments were seconded and those present voted in favor.

What comes next: Most of the items were "called for" from committee with emergency language and a single reading requested; the actions will appear on the full council agenda for formal voting next week. The ordinances related to the city hall and justice center project (architect and construction manager at risk) were introduced but remain pending, with additional legislation expected.

Votes and formal actions recorded in committee included motions to call the Blue Technologies contract, the HR pay-grade amendment, the two fire-department requests, the EPA water-license payment and the two appointments. Committee votes were voiced in the record as "Aye"; the transcript records affirmative responses but does not provide full roll-call tallies.