Twinsburg council adopts $80 million 2026 budget, approves dredging and contracts; council rejects clothing‑allowance ordinance

Twinsburg City Council adopted the city’s annual budget for 2026 and a slate of year‑end contracts and resolutions during a Dec. 9 meeting at Twinsburg Government Center, while rejecting a proposal to give elected officials an annual clothing allowance and lifetime fitness center memberships.

The council passed Ordinance 1‑15‑2025, the city’s annual operating and capital budget for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026, by a 7‑0 roll call vote after a council member said the combined government budget is about $80,000,000. Council discussion identified roughly $17,000,000 of that total as funding tied to wastewater treatment plant upgrades that will span multiple years.

Council also adopted Ordinance 1‑20‑2025 to accept the bid from AMS Landscaping LLC for the Waterford Pond dredging Phase 1 project as an emergency measure. A council member described the dredging as part of the Timothy Lane flood‑mitigation plan and said the contract amount for the work is $359,000; the measure passed 7‑0.

Other year‑end legislative actions approved unanimously included Ordinance 1‑16‑2025, establishing a city cybersecurity policy; Ordinance 1‑17‑2025, affirming annual wage increases for full‑time and permanent part‑time non‑bargaining employees effective Jan. 1, 2026; Ordinance 1‑22‑2025, accepting the bid for the Liberty Road/Culver Extension project; Resolution 1‑23‑2025, authorizing a one‑year agreement with the city of Stowe for prosecutorial services (described in council remarks as costing about $55,000 annually); Resolution 1‑24‑2025, accepting a Unifirst contract for uniform and floor‑mat rental services; and Ordinance 1‑25‑2025, an amendment to 2025 appropriations so changes could take effect before year‑end. Each was approved following motions to suspend the three‑reading rule where needed, and each passed on recorded roll calls that were unanimous where noted.

By contrast, Ordinance 1‑18‑2025 — an amendment to Chapter 111 of council rules to provide an annual clothing allowance and the authority to grant outgoing elected officials a lifetime individual fitness‑center membership and/or their city‑issued electronic device — failed on a recorded vote, 0‑7. Council members also noted on the record that Ordinance 1‑18 was not an emergency and clarified process and timing in the discussion prior to the vote.

On appointments and staffing, council suspended rules and adopted Resolution 1‑21‑2025 to confirm the reappointment of Sheila Williams as Twinsburg’s representative to the 7‑County Combined General Health District Board of Health for a four‑year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026; council members praised Williams’ long service and unanimously approved the reappointment so county deadlines could be met.

Council members and staff also used the meeting for routine reports and reminders: a department head identified as Christina reported the city’s audit was under a state desk review due to a backlog at the Auditor of State, with an auditor’s office backlog of roughly 85 pending audits; the city’s external auditors (Perry & Associates) expect the audit release by year‑end or in January. Members reminded residents of upcoming committee and public events, and the presiding officer noted one application tied to a previously scheduled planning item had been withdrawn and would receive no further action.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 1‑15‑2025 (2026 budget): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. Key detail: total budget reported at about $80,000,000; wastewater treatment upgrades ~ $17,000,000. - Ordinance 1‑16‑2025 (cybersecurity policy): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. - Ordinance 1‑17‑2025 (annual wage increase for specified employees): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. - Ordinance 1‑18‑2025 (annual clothing allowance; lifetime fitness membership): Failed, 0‑7. - Ordinance 1‑20‑2025 (accept AMS Landscaping LLC bid; Waterford Pond dredging Phase 1): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. Contract amount stated: $359,000. - Resolution 1‑21‑2025 (reappoint Sheila Williams to 7‑County Board of Health): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. - Ordinance 1‑22‑2025 (accept Burrito Construction LLC bid; Liberty Road/Culver Extension): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. - Resolution 1‑23‑2025 (one‑year prosecutorial services agreement with city of Stowe): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. Cost described in council remarks: about $55,000/year. - Resolution 1‑24‑2025 (accept Unifirst bid for uniform/floor mat services): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0. - Ordinance 1‑25‑2025 (2025 appropriations amendment): Adopted as an emergency, 7‑0.

Why this matters

The council’s adoption of the 2026 budget sets spending priorities and funds multiyear capital projects, including a major wastewater upgrade that the administration described as the primary driver of the budget increase. The dredging contract and related infrastructure work were framed as near‑term flood‑mitigation steps in the Timothy Lane plan. The failed ordinance on council clothing and lifetime fitness benefits reflects council reluctance to expand post‑service perks.

What’s next

Most emergency adoptions and suspended‑rule approvals were taken to allow contracts and services to begin or continue at the start of the calendar year; the council recessed for the holiday season and will reconvene in 2026 with committee meetings and schedules announced during the meeting.