Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Property topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrison council adopts ordinance to buy land under city water tower; executive session scheduled
Summary
The Harrison City Council on Nov. 5, 2025, unanimously adopted an ordinance to buy the private parcel under the city's water tower after council discussion about recent property-tax assessments on the parcel. The council also voted to retire to an executive session on a proposed development under ORC 121.22(8)(A).
Harrison’s City Council voted unanimously Nov. 5 to adopt an ordinance authorizing the city to purchase the private parcel of land directly beneath the municipal water tower.
Mayor introduced the ordinance as the meeting’s sole business item, explaining the property has long held the water tower and “he started getting property tax, assessed on that parcel of land for the improvement of an old water tower.” The mayor said the city surveyed the property and will buy “the dirt underneath the water tower so it does not adversely affect him in any form or fashion.”
Councilman Jerry Wilson moved to adopt the ordinance; a council member seconded. The clerk called the roll and members voted “Yay,” and the mayor declared the ordinance adopted. No purchase price or closing date was stated in the meeting record.
Why it matters: The land purchase intends to remove a tax and ownership complication tied to a long-standing public improvement. Council comments focused on correcting the tax assessment burden for the homeowner and clarifying that the acquisition is limited to the parcel beneath the tower.
Other formal actions at the meeting: the council also approved Oct. 21, 2025 meeting minutes and later voted to adjourn to an executive session to discuss a proposed development under state statute (see “Votes at a glance”).
What’s next: No effective date or implementation schedule for the water-tower parcel purchase was announced. The mayor invited public follow-up and staff contact for details during the city’s ongoing budget process.
