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Hillsdale City Council approves budget amendments, approves joint early-voting agreement and confirms new police and fire chief
Summary
The Hillsdale City Council on Feb. 2 approved Q2 budget amendments (Resolution 3668), approved a joint early-voting site agreement with Hillsdale County through Dec. 31, 2027, and confirmed Kristopher Joswiak as Police and Fire Chief; a special-assessment petition was filed during public comment.
Hillsdale's City Council approved a package of budget amendments, a countywide early-voting agreement and the appointment of Kristopher Joswiak as the city's Police and Fire Chief during its Feb. 2 regular meeting.
The council unanimously approved the second-quarter budget amendments under Resolution 3668 after Council Member Robert Socha moved and Council Member Greg Stuchell seconded the motion. The transcript does not list the dollar amounts or line-item changes for the amendments as presented to council; those details were not specified in the meeting record.
The council then voted 7-2 to approve a joint early-voting site agreement that shares state- and federal-election costs among 22 participating municipalities through Dec. 31, 2027. County Clerk Abe Dane answered council questions about cost-sharing and attendance. Councilman Jacob Bruns said he preferred that municipalities conduct their own elections individually; Bruns and Councilman Joshua Paladino cast the two nay votes.
Kristopher Joswiak introduced himself to the council and summarized his law-enforcement and fire-department experience before council voted to confirm him as Police and Fire Chief. City Manager David Mackie explained the city's interviewing process and told the council that Chief Hephner will leave the city on Feb. 17, 2026. After a failed motion to table the nomination, the appointment passed 8-1, with Councilman Matthew Bentley voting nay.
During public comment, residents submitted concerns and paperwork including a petition packet for a proposed special-assessment district; Jill Hardway of Ward 2 formally submitted that petition to the council. City Manager Mackie also reported that a Marshalls store is scheduled to open in Hillsdale in March 2026 and reminded residents that 2025 winter taxes are due on Feb. 17, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
