Finance committee approves opioid, PEP and $1.2 million packaging project appropriations

Newark City Council ยท February 18, 2026

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Summary

The Newark Finance Committee on Feb. 17 approved several appropriations, including $61,539.59 from opioid settlement funds to Shepherd Hill via BellH, a $1,000 PEP grant purchase for the Streets Division, and a $1.2 million package of grants tied to the Packaging Corporation of America project; all motions passed unanimously and were forwarded to full council where required.

The Newark Finance Committee met Feb. 17 at 5:45 p.m. and approved multiple appropriations and a resolution to apply for state EMS grant funds.

Committee members recorded an unappropriated general fund balance of $1,000,610,643, which includes $604,497 in adult-use cannabis funds and a budget stabilization fund balance of $717,431. The committee first approved a $61,539.59 appropriation from opioid settlement funds to be passed to Shepherd Hill via BellH; "Motion by Barker. Second by Hauser." The motion passed on a 5-0 voice vote.

The committee next approved a $1,000 appropriation tied to a PEP grant for the Streets Division to purchase equipment; the motion passed 5-0. The committee then passed a resolution directing the mayor to apply to the Ohio Department of Public Safety for FY2026-27 funding under the Ohio EMS Training and Equipment Grant Program; Parker seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.

The committee approved a $1,200,000 request tied to the Packaging Corporation of America project: staff characterized the package as two grant sources, $1,000,000 from the Department of Development and $200,000 from a higher jobs/commerce grant, and said the project will be opened tomorrow and is expected to be awarded through TID on March 11. "It's just a huge asset for the city of Newark," the chair said in support. Motion by Alker, second by Barker; passed 5-0.

The Finance Committee adjourned after the votes. Items that passed will be handled on the full council agenda where required.