Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Russell council adopts 2026 pay schedule and appropriations, authorizes Hazelwood application and approves contracts for body cameras and Sugarbush work
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting, the South Russell Village Council approved the 2026 pay schedule and amended appropriations, authorized OH Public Works application steps for the Hazelwood stormwater project and Hemlock culvert, and approved contracts including Motorola body cameras ($76,044.08) and CMG excavation for Sugarbush ($32,950).
South Russell’s Village Council on Nov. 24 approved a package of budget, infrastructure and equipment measures that the mayor and committee leaders said are meant to keep capital projects moving while finalizing the 2026 budget. Councilors declared several matters urgent and waived additional readings to expedite implementation.
The council voted to adopt the 2026 pay schedule and a modified annual appropriations ordinance that included specific line items for general fund salaries and benefits ($385,748) and other funds, and a Bell Road East allocation of $1,499,755. Council also discussed and incorporated a 4% recommended salary increase for 2026 that the HR committee had proposed; the pay schedule ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
Why it matters: the ordinances set the village’s budget framework for next year and incorporate the HR committee’s recommended cost-of-living/salary adjustments.
Infrastructure and contracts: Council approved several motions tied to larger projects. The Public Utilities Committee was authorized to sign OPWC certifications for disbursements on the Hemlock Road culvert project, and the engineer was authorized to prepare an application for the Hazelwood Stormwater Project, a multi-phase undertaking described in committee discussion as an approximately $5.6 million effort. Councilors noted the application may require accompanying legislation and additional sign-offs as the OPWC process proceeds.
Council also moved to approve a contract agreement authorizing the mayor to execute an excavation contract with CMG Contracting LLC for the Sugarbush Club association in the amount of $32,950; that measure passed on roll call.
Public safety equipment and staffing: The council adopted an ordinance authorizing the police chief to execute a customer agreement with Motorola Solutions Inc. for body cameras and the cloud software necessary to operate them, at a contract total of $76,044.08. Police leadership presented the purchase as a migration from an unsupported Windows‑10–based system to a cloud platform, and described body‑worn video as both a tool for evidence and officer validation. The police chief also obtained council approval to advertise for up to three full‑time officer positions to fill upcoming retirements and expected staffing departures.
Other votes: Council adopted the Geauga County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan by resolution, directed a payment list of $414,739.41, and approved a series of ordinance amendments and administrative motions to clarify committee duties and processes.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the OPWC application process for Hazelwood and the finance/fiscal office will finalize year‑end adjustments and amendments to the budget in January once county certificates are updated. The Motorola contract and CMG contract execution will follow the ordinances passed by council; staffing advertisements will be posted in coming weeks.
Attribution: Council actions are recorded in the Nov. 24 meeting minutes and were taken by voice or roll call as noted at the meeting.
