Lakemore council approves $14,000 for community events, several fire department promotions and an appropriation ordinance

The Village of Lakemore council approved a package of resolutions and a budget ordinance at its regular meeting, including a $14,000 appropriation for community events, several fire-department personnel actions and adjustments to fund appropriations.

Council adopted Resolution 7573-2026 to appropriate $14,000 from the general fund to a line item for "community events, special projects" to cover wages, overtime and associated Village employee costs related to events during fiscal year 2026. The resolution specifies that external event costs (entertainment, rides, fireworks, private security and contracted EMS) will be paid by external partners and that any expenditures beyond the approved appropriation require prior council approval. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with recorded votes in favor from Mr. Wright, Mr. Huja, Mrs. Hughes, Miss Anderson and Mr. Nosal; Mr. Schmenner recorded a dissenting vote.

"This is to ensure that this event is safe for our community," a council member said in support of the appropriation, noting that the funds are intended for Village safety services rather than entertainment or rides. A separate council member called the appropriation "fiscally irresponsible," explaining concerns about drawing from the general fund.

The council also approved a set of fire-department personnel measures: Resolution 7580-2026 promoting Lieutenant Justin Wise to Captain (effective May 6, 2026); Resolution 7581-2026 authorizing the assistant fire chief to hire Jeff Verden (transcript also references 'Jeff Burden') as a full-time firefighter at $21 per hour with health insurance after 60 days; Resolution 7582-2026 promoting fire medic Bryant Earnsberger to Lieutenant; Resolution 7583-2026 accepting the resignation of firefighter medic Brandon Charles; and Resolution 7584-2026 authorizing the hire of Jake Curran as a full-time firefighter at $21 per hour with health insurance after 60 days. Council dispensed with three readings for those resolutions and recorded roll-call votes in favor.

Council also adopted Ordinance 1930-2026 to amend ordinance 1906-2025 and make FY2026 appropriations and revenue adjustments. The ordinance increases a general-fund appropriation by $22,988.70 for Lexipol (police), adds $1,000 to BGA grant revenue, adjusts Cops Fast fund entries related to the LEMHWA and hiring grants, moves $1,350 to a nuisance abatement fund for work at 1514 Front Street, and authorizes a transfer of $8,871.50 from the general fund to the general obligation bond retirement fund for the USDA loan payment on a 2018 ambulance. The ordinance was declared an emergency and adopted on roll call.

All personnel and appropriation measures were presented as in compliance with open-meeting laws; where questions arose about whether a promotion had been posted or interviewed, council members asked staff to confirm the hiring process.

The council set future workshop dates (May 12 and May 26) and closed the meeting with an adjournment vote.