HURON, Ohio — The Huron City Council confirmed Kevin McGraw as the next fire chief and handled a string of resolutions and routine business on Tuesday.

A resolution approving Kevin McGraw’s appointment as fire chief was placed on first reading and the council administered the oath of office; the mayor and several council members offered congratulations. Attorney Gary Ebert introduced the appointment. "You will faithfully discharge the duties," the oath included, as administered for the new chief.

Beyond the personnel action, the council authorized a three‑year engagement with Reagan Associates, Inc. for financial statement preparation after the previous contractor could not complete 2024 work; the contract was noted at $81,174.30 covering 01/01/2024–12/31/2026. Council also authorized submitting an ODOT HSIP grant application for a multimodal crossing on Jim Campbell Boulevard, with total project cost estimated around $137,000 and a 10% local match.

The council approved Change Order No. 1 for Niagara Power Transformer Corporation for moving and short‑term storage related to the Huron Public Power expansion project in an amount not to exceed $36,600 after staff explained the transformer arrival and site timing required temporary storage.

Council accepted two $250 donations — one from the now‑defunct Laguna Yacht Club to the Huron Rescue Squad Development Fund and one from Margaret Barber to the Huron Police Canine Fund — and approved a one‑time $5,000 performance bonus for the city manager.

City Manager Stuart Hamilton also reported an unusual December "needle ice" event that temporarily blocked the water intake and required shutting the plant overnight; mutual aid and large users’ reduced consumption helped restore operations by early morning, and staff noted the secondary intake project is intended to mitigate such events.

What’s next: Chief McGraw’s effective date is Jan. 5, 2026; the HSIP grant application will proceed and award decisions will dictate construction timing. Staff will process the accounting contract and the transformer change order per the council’s authorizations.