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Council hears first readings on stormwater, procurement thresholds and cybersecurity requirements
Summary
On Feb. 2 the Worcester City Council held first readings on three items: stormwater code adjustments tied to the new residential zoning; an ordinance to align the city's competitive bidding threshold with the Ohio Revised Code’s annually published figure; and a resolution to formally adopt a cybersecurity program required by state law (House Bill 96).
Worcester — At its Feb. 2 meeting the Worcester City Council heard first readings on three administrative measures the city will return to in future meetings.
Stormwater code (Ordinance 2026-03): City staff said updates to chapter 925 of the codified ordinances adjust area-based stormwater calculations to align with the recently revised residential zoning code. Staff reported the changes keep utility impacts negligible (within approximately 1–2%) and left the ordinance on first reading.
Bidding threshold (Ordinance 2026-04): Council discussed a proposed change to Chapter 160 to adopt the state’s annually published competitive threshold rather than a static $75,000 figure. One councilor explained the change would track the Ohio Revised Code’s 3% annual adjustment (the current published state threshold is roughly $79,568), reducing the number of small contract items that must come before council. Members debated local oversight versus administrative efficiency; the item remains on first reading.
Cybersecurity (Resolution 2026-05): IT staff explained House Bill 96 requires political subdivisions to adopt cybersecurity programs and set reporting requirements for breach incidents and ransomware payments. "House Bill 96 ... requires political subdivisions to have a cyber security program," the IT presenter said, noting obligations to report incidents to the Ohio Security and Integration Center within seven days and additional reporting to the auditor. Council did not take final action on these items tonight.
