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Council tables proposal to use 10% of business incentive fund pending specifics
Summary
Finance committee discussed a mayoral request to allow up to 10% of the business incentive fund balance to be used annually for economic development (wayfinding, Main Street). Council asked for detailed parameters and tabled the proposal for further drafting.
At the Finance & Personnel committee on Jan. 5, Mayor William Judge’s letter proposing legislation to permit using up to 10% of the business incentive fund balance annually for economic development projects was discussed but not approved.
Committee members asked staff for specifics: origins of the fund, prior transfers into it, whether the fund has previously paid out grants or loans, and how the city would disburse money given existing local economic development entities (foundation/BCBC). Council members noted eligibility requirements mentioned in past legislation — including company size minimums (10 employees) and wage thresholds (approximately $30,000–$35,000) — and asked the administration and finance staff to draft clearer parameters before formal legislation is prepared. The proposal was tabled pending that detail.
The finance committee also read a separate mayoral letter seeking authorization to apply to the Barberton Community Foundation for up to $25,000 to support the 2026 America 250 / Barberton 135 celebration; that grant application was moved forward to the consent agenda.
