City details options for Central State University utilities and annexation; staff installing monitoring equipment
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Summary
City Manager Merriman updated council on long‑running service issues with Central State University, describing three alternatives (status quo contract, annexation, or extraterritorial service agreement), work on SCADA access and a correction of a misapplied grant payment; staff indicated installation of monitoring equipment could proceed within 30–60 days once agreements are signed.
City Manager Merriman gave an extended briefing on Jan. 8 about the city’s multi‑decade service relationship with Central State University, which includes water and sewer provision and fire/EMS coverage in recent years. Merriman said the city has had recurring billing and contract issues and that council previously directed staff to seek a more permanent arrangement.
Merriman outlined three options discussed with university leaders: maintain the existing informal contract (which city staff said places the city at operational and financial risk), pursue annexation (with negotiated terms that would limit the city’s acceptance of aged campus infrastructure unless replaced), or adopt an extraterritorial utilities service agreement as an interim step. He said staff had provided Central State with a pre‑annexation and extraterritorial utilities agreement and that the state’s administrative services office and auditor have been involved in recent discussions.
Finance Director Duke explained part of the apparent delinquency was caused by a state grant payment that was misapplied to Central State’s utility account and later corrected. Duke said the city notified the university and worked to reconcile the misapplied credit.
Merriman said the city is pursuing SCADA (system monitoring) access and a maintenance agreement to install monitoring equipment on university appurtenances. He told council the public service director expected equipment installation could be completed in 30 to 60 days after an access agreement is signed and that an H2Ohio grant would support some of the assessment and monitoring work.
Merriman characterized ongoing talks with state officials as cooperative and said annexation remains a preferred long‑term solution if agreements on responsibilities and infrastructure can be reached. He emphasized the city’s intent to avoid service disruption to students and staff while protecting the city's water system and fiscal interests.
Council did not take a final vote on annexation or service termination at the Jan. 8 meeting; staff reported continued negotiations and plans for equipment installation and a planned request‑for‑proposal for system assessment work.
