Norton council adopts multiple year‑end ordinances, sends fire‑levy renewal toward May ballot

Norton City Council on Dec. 15 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions to conclude 2025 business and prepare for 2026.

Key actions at a glance - Ordinance 1 18 20 25 (personnel manual amendments): Adopted after the council waived additional readings; amendments include a revised longevity schedule for non‑bargaining personnel and a new cell‑phone reimbursement policy. Roll call recorded a majority of yes votes and the ordinance was adopted that evening.

- Appointments to volunteer fire department fund: Council formally appointed Mister Towsley and Mister Harbert to the volunteer fire department fund after committee recommendation; the item passed on roll call.

- Resolution 1 20 20 25 (fire levy renewal process): Council passed an initial resolution to start the two‑stage process to renew a fire levy with no tax increase; staff said the certification and submission deadlines require completion by Feb. 6 and asked the council to pass the first resolution to enable later submission to electors in May.

- Ordinance 1 21 20 25 (service department equipment): Council authorized purchase of a front plow and tailgate spreader from Henderson for $23,124.20; members noted the purchase was budgeted for 2025 but expressed preference that future purchases come through full readings where feasible.

- Additional ordinances and resolutions adopted: The council adopted several other items on second or third reading, including a cybersecurity policy (1 17 20 25), an appropriations amendment for 2025 (1 12 20 25), a transfer from the general fund (1 13 20 25), purchase authorization for a dispatch console (1 14 20 25) and acceptance of Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations (1 15 20 25). The council also confirmed the appointment of Dan Carrent to the Summit County Combined General Health District Board of Health for a four‑year term commencing Jan. 1, 2026.

Voting and procedure notes Most adoption votes were recorded by roll call and showed affirmative votes from the members present. One procedural motion—waiving second and third readings for the Norton Energy Storage amendment (ordinance 1 19 20 25)—failed on roll call, so that ordinance was not adopted that night.

What happens next: The fire levy process requires a second resolution and further fiscal certifications before the measure can be placed on the May ballot. Staff will proceed with the certification steps and return to council for any required follow‑up.