Rossford City Council adopts 2026 budget and approves package of year-end ordinances and resolutions

The Rossford City Council on Dec. 8 adopted the city's 2026 annual appropriation measure and approved several related ordinances and resolutions during a meeting that also included a public-works update and resident comments.

Finance director Chris summarized the 2026 budget before the vote, saying the spending plan totals about $24.5 million in expenses against roughly $20 million in expected revenues. Of that amount, Chris said, $6.8 million is earmarked for public safety (about $3.4 million each for police and fire), $1.4 million for public-works operations and $5.2 million for infrastructure projects, including pedestrian hybrid beacons on Superior Street and resurfacing of Highland, Homestead, Birch, Cherry, Hidden Cove and Harbor Point.

Council then moved for adoption of Ordinance 2025-98, the annual appropriation measure for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026, and recorded a roll-call vote in which members voted to approve the ordinance.

Council also acted on a package of year-end, housekeeping and policy measures. Among them: - Ordinance 2025-99, a transfer-of-funds ordinance tied to the annual appropriation, was read and adopted as presented. - Ordinance 2025-107 authorized the execution of 'then-and-now' certificates under the Ohio Revised Code for invoices that predate purchase orders when required by law; council suspended additional readings, declared the ordinance an emergency and adopted it after staff explained the timing issue that triggers council approval for amounts over $3,000. - Ordinance 2025-108 amended estimated resources for 2025 to align revenue estimates with year-end collections; council adopted the measure after suspending further readings. - Ordinance 2025-109 provided a supplemental appropriation cleanup to cover outstanding bills through year-end; staff described it as a housekeeping measure and council adopted it. - Ordinance 2025-110 adjusted 2026 compensation rates for certain non-bargaining employees to address salary compression that arose after union contract renegotiations; the finance committee recommended the change and council adopted the ordinance after suspending readings. One member recorded an abstention on the adoption vote. - Ordinance 2025-111 amended the city's policy on maintaining a general-fund cash balance reserve. Chris told council that, after complying with a recent economic-development agreement with Toledo, the city expects to fall below its previous 85% reserve threshold and proposed revising the reserve policy; council adopted the ordinance.

Council also approved several resolutions and administrative actions: - Ordinance 2025-112 authorized award of a contract for the State Route 65 Bergen/Glenwood roundabout (ODOT PID 116382) to Vernon Nagle Incorporated; staff said Vernon Nagle was the low bidder and has recent regional experience building roundabouts. Council suspended readings, declared an emergency and adopted the ordinance. - Resolution 2025-20 approved a pending annexation petition (25-9) filed by Norman R. Weimer et al for about 7.106 acres on Lyme City Road and declared an emergency to complete the annexation process. - Resolution 2025-21 adopted the City of Rossford cybersecurity program policy; staff said the city previously lacked a formal policy and an IT staff member (Vince) located a template approved by the city administrator and finance staff. - Resolution 2025-22 submitted council's votes to fill a municipal seat on the Northwestern Water and Sewer District board; council nominated incumbent Chuck Latta and voted to forward that nomination. - Resolution 2025-23 authorized the city administrator to accept funds on behalf of the Rossford Convention and Visitors Bureau for the Balloon Fest after a sponsor could not donate directly to the CVB because of its tax status; council adopted the measure and declared an emergency to accept the funds in time.

All measures were moved, seconded and adopted after council suspended additional readings where specified and confirmed there were no audience objections. The meeting record shows routine roll-call ayes on the package of items; where recorded, votes are reflected in the meeting minutes and transcript.