Shelby City Council reviews March finances, outlines paving plans and announces Arbor Day events

The Shelby City Council accepted and filed its combined financial statement for March 2026 and heard committee updates on street paving, a major road reconstruction and other service projects.

City staff member McLaughlin presented the financial report, saying the city's encumbered general-fund balance stood at $1,407,974 and that total cash and investments reconciled to $14,988,014. McLaughlin said the US Bank account has been closed. He provided preliminary 2026 income-tax receipt figures: individuals $354,000; businesses $180,000; withholdings about $1,042,000, for a combined figure the transcript lists as $1,577,000. McLaughlin also listed recent personnel changes, including the resignation of Nicole Webster (director of nursing), the resignation of journeyman lineman Austin Sarbaugh, the resignation of Cody Baker from the police department, and retirements by Marcy Lacer (utilities) and Jerry Marshall.

A motion to receive, place on file and post the March combined financial statement and cash-investment reconciliation was moved and seconded and carried after roll call.

In a utilities and streets committee briefing, council discussed three streets slated for 2026 paving—Vernon, Myrtle and Norman drives—selected using a 2022 paving-analysis report and service-department input. The committee also described three larger upcoming projects. The Mickey Road reconstruction will include sanitary and storm sewers, a water main, curb and gutter, pavement and sidewalks; the transcript contains two differing cost figures reported for that project (an "estimating" figure of $4,400,000 and a separate "preliminary" figure of $37,013,000). The project was described as scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2028 and to end in the third quarter of 2029. Two state-route repaving efforts were also mentioned: State Route 39 (Mansfield Avenue) and State Route 61 (Gamble Street), with tentative starts in the fiscal year 2028 planning horizon.

The committee update also noted the city’s natural-gas aggregation program has been in place for about 10 years. The current one-year contract (September 2025–September 2026) is with Nordic Energy; staff said they are in talks with Espen Energy on a follow-up agreement. A speaker corrected an earlier characterization of how long prices have been low, clarifying the low-price period as 17 months.

During the meeting the council moved to request a liquor-permit hearing for Tommy Tomatoes Masterpiece Pizza, 126 Broadway Street. Council clarified that a "yes" vote initiates the hearing process while a "no" vote typically indicates opposition to issuing the permit.

The presiding official also announced Shelby’s participation in the national America's 250 heritage-tree program. The Arbor Day/heritage-tree event is scheduled for April 24 at 10 a.m. at Seltzer Park North Pavilion (60 Parkway Drive, west of the pool). The event will include an Arbor Day proclamation, the planting of a commemorative native oak and a dedication plaque for Richland County; musical performances by Shelby Middle School and Shelby High School choirs and the Shelby High School band; story time and resources from the Marble Memorial Library; and free saplings distributed by Kiwanis (provided by Clear Court FFA alumni). The mayor invited the public to attend.

Council members also thanked the tax department staff for handling a busy tax-deadline week while auditors conducted field work.