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Conneaut City Council unanimously adopts emergency ordinances, final 2025 budget amendment and 2026 appropriations
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Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Conneaut City Council suspended reading rules and unanimously adopted five ordinances — including a Department of the Army right‑of‑entry, delinquent grass‑cut certification, a $15,723.82 interfund advance for water improvements — and passed resolutions recognizing outgoing members; the council also heard the swearing‑in of Municipal Judge Nicholas A. Iarocci.
Conneaut City Council on Monday unanimously approved a package of emergency ordinances and recognition resolutions, adopted a final 2025 budget amendment and passed its 2026 appropriations during a 56‑minute regular meeting at City Hall.
Judge Nicholas A. Iarocci was sworn in as Conneaut Municipal Judge by Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Harris. "I am blessed to serve as Judge in our community for six more years," Judge Iarocci said after taking the oath.
On procedural motions, the council suspended the three‑reading rule and declared emergencies to expedite consideration of multiple items. Ordinance No. 151‑25 authorizes the city manager to execute a Department of the Army right‑of‑entry for construction; the motion to suspend readings and the emergency declaration were moved by Councilmember Chris Castrilla and seconded by Oakey Emery, and the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call.
The council also adopted Ordinance No. 152‑25, authorizing the finance director to certify delinquent grass‑cutting bills to the county auditor under Ohio law and the city code. "This ordinance stems from the Zoning Department," Finance Director Williams said when the item was introduced. The council voted unanimously to suspend readings, declare an emergency and pass the ordinance.
Ordinance No. 153‑25, the final 2025 budget amendment described in an attached Exhibit A, was presented as having "no net impact on the budget," Finance Director Williams said. The council suspended readings and adopted the amendment unanimously.
Ordinance No. 154‑25 sets appropriations for the City of Conneaut for calendar year 2026. Williams reviewed several line items in the attachment and noted that several capital improvement projects are not included in this ordinance’s attachment; he provided a pie chart to illustrate the allocations. The council suspended readings and adopted the 2026 appropriations on a unanimous vote.
Ordinance No. 155‑25 authorizes the finance director to advance $15,723.82 from Fund 552 (Water Department) to Fund 385 for Old Main Water Improvements; Williams corrected an initial typographical error in the ordinance that listed the fund as "555." The council voted to suspend readings and passed the amended ordinance unanimously.
The council also adopted Resolution No. 156‑25 recognizing Councilman Nicholas J. Church for his service (Mr. Church was not present) and Resolution No. 157‑25 recognizing Regis Galvin. "I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with," Galvin said, thanking volunteers.
Members offered brief personal remarks after the business items. Oakey Emery thanked those who supported him and said he had "enjoyed it on Council." Councilmember Mariana Branch said she was "honored to have been reelected and looks forward to the progress made by this Council." City Manager Sanford noted an employee luncheon scheduled for Dec. 17, 2025.
The council excused the absence of Councilman Church by unanimous vote and adjourned at 6:56 PM. The council scheduled a work session photo for Jan. 5, 2026 and listed the Organizational Meeting for Jan. 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 151‑25 — Passed, unanimous; Ordinance 152‑25 — Passed, unanimous; Ordinance 153‑25 — Passed, unanimous; Ordinance 154‑25 — Passed, unanimous; Ordinance 155‑25 — Passed (amended), unanimous; Resolution 156‑25 — Passed, unanimous; Resolution 157‑25 — Passed, unanimous.