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Struthers finance committee moves several appropriations forward, sets budget workshop; front‑yard garden ordinance to be brought out next week
Summary
The committee moved to bring several routine appropriations and a county appointment resolution to next week’s agenda, confirmed a budget workshop before caucus and agreed to introduce an ordinance (codified as 397.17) to permit and regulate front‑yard gardens for consideration next week.
At the Struthers City Council Finance & Legislation meeting, members moved to bring several routine legislative items to the upcoming agenda, reviewed budget highlights and agreed on next steps for review and implementation.
Chair (speaker 1) read three items for consideration: an ordinance appropriating $1,000 to Youngstown Class B Baseball Inc. for an outfield advertisement sign for 2026; an ordinance to appropriate funds for the city’s Easter egg hunt (the transcript contains inconsistent numeric phrasing for the precise appropriation amount); and a resolution confirming that the mayor and auditor shall serve on the Mahoning County Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) for 2026. Speaker 3 moved and the Chair seconded motions to bring each item out for formal action at the next meeting.
Council also reviewed the draft 2026 budget and scheduled a short workshop at 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday to allow members to propose and review changes ahead of caucus. In budget discussions Speaker 2 outlined key items proposed for the year: reinstating a $25,000 facade grant program (previously paused for four years) targeted outside the downtown area while CIC funds are still being allocated; a senior‑van program; and anticipated cost increases tied to recently negotiated union contracts for police and captains.
Members noted that adult‑use cannabis revenue is being shown on the capital improvement line to provide visibility into how that general‑fund money will be used. Council agreed to circulate an amended budget and to reconvene for the workshop to finalize any changes in time to meet the end‑of‑month budgeting timeline referenced in the meeting.
On zoning and property maintenance, council debated draft language to permit and regulate front‑yard gardens, discussing height limits (approximately 18 inches), whether to include containers or planters, and enforcement approaches. Chair introduced an ordinance to create Section 397.17 of the codified ordinances to permit front‑yard gardens; Speaker 3 moved to bring the ordinance out and the Chair seconded. The item will appear on next week’s agenda for formal readings and possible amendment.
The committee adjourned after routine closing motions.
