Council approves budget amendment, awards paving contract and passes salary resolution; withholds solid-waste fee payment

At its Aug. 8 meeting, the Ironton City Council took several formal actions on finance and public works.

Ordinance 24-32 (emergency operating-budget amendment): Council suspended the rules, read the ordinance by title and adopted Ordinance 24-32 as an emergency measure. The chair called the roll and the ordinance was declared adopted.

Resolution 24-30 (Howard Excavation LLC contract): The council authorized the mayor to enter into a contract with Howard Excavation LLC for South District and Maple Avenue paving and ADA ramps. One council member expressed concern about awarding additional work to the same vendor while North End projects remained active, but the resolution passed on a roll call.

Resolution 24-31 (nonunion salary schedule): Council approved Resolution 24-31 establishing salaries for nonunion employees; members said the item corrected prior language.

Solid Waste District fee payment: A council member moved that the finance director withhold payment of the new Solid Waste District fee (to Rumpke/other landfill costs) until the council clarifies scope and billing. The council recorded a roll-call affirmation directing the finance office to withhold payment pending further notice.

Why it matters: The adopted budget amendment provides authority to adjust the city’s operating appropriations for the fiscal year; the paving contract sets work on local streets and ADA ramps; withholding the solid-waste fee pauses a new expense until contractual and billing issues are clarified.

What comes next: The budget ordinance and resolutions are final per the council's roll-call actions. The finance director was instructed to delay the Solid Waste District payment until the council obtains a clearer accounting and determines whether the fee applies to existing contracts or requires renegotiation.