Council waives three readings and adopts appropriations ordinance tied to $3.3M property purchase

Bellefontaine City Council voted unanimously to waive the three-reading rule and adopt Ordinance 26-01, described in committee as a supplemental appropriation and an amendment to the permanent appropriation ordinance related to wastewater and refuse and to permit purchase of city-owned real estate.

During the communications-from-citizens period Tom Reynolds asked the council to disclose the purchase price for the property on the south end of town; a city official replied that the purchase price is listed in the legislation as $3,300,000. Reynolds also pressed the council on transparency and criticized frequent use of "emergency" language, saying it prevents meaningful public input and the ability to pursue referendum.

An unidentified speaker provided a legal explanation of emergency language: it allows legislation to take effect upon the mayor's signature and shortens or removes the normal 30-day window that would allow voters to gather signatures for referendum. That speaker said emergency language is used less often for expenditures but remains necessary in some cases where timing is critical for grants or contractual deadlines.

Council voted to waive the three-reading requirement, passed the ordinance on second and final reading, and then took a final adoption vote; roll-call tallies recorded unanimous approval. The ordinance will fund the stated wastewater/refuse needs and move forward the city's purchase of the identified property; administration and council did not discuss contract award details or closing dates during the meeting.

Next steps: administration to execute the purchase consistent with the ordinance language and to return to council with any contract or closing details as required.