Reynoldsburg council approves cruisers, recovery-court grant and $13.91 million transportation bond in unanimous votes

Reynoldsburg City Council on Jan. 26 advanced a bundle of public-safety and infrastructure measures, approving a resolution to purchase two Ford Interceptor police cruisers, authorizing a reimbursable 2026 grant agreement to continue the Reynoldsburg Recovery Court, granting an emergency AEP utility easement for a new parks and public service facility, and approving an ordinance to issue bonds with a maximum principal amount of $13,910,000 for municipal vehicular transportation improvements.

The clerk reported $25,806.05 in December 2025 court collections as part of routine communications. In the public safety committee, a city official described the cruiser purchase as a standard request: the vehicles will replace cars taken out of service, purchases are being made through an existing state bid, and retired vehicles are typically stripped for reusable parts while remaining assets are auctioned via GovDeals with recovered funds returning to vehicle-purchase accounts.

The council approved the police-cruiser resolution on the consent agenda and forwarded it to full council. The Recovery Court grant agreement — a reimbursable contract with the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County that covers roughly half the salary of the city’s criminal justice administrator and other program items — was described by Attorney Schick as a contract that has produced seven graduates in 2025 and one recent graduate in 2026. Schick said participant numbers are lower than two years ago but credited the program staff, including Criminal Justice Administrator Maria Watson, for program outcomes.

The council also approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to grant American Electric Power an easement for the city’s new parks and public service facility; Director Dorman told the committee the easement is needed so AEP can energize a new three-phase transformer serving the complex. Separately, council voted to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in a maximum principal amount of $13,910,000 to pay costs of improving the municipal vehicular transportation system; that ordinance was adopted as an emergency measure on an 8-0 roll call.

All recorded votes on the consent items and emergency ordinances were unanimous: Baker, Johnson, Towns, Silvati, Chambers, Hill, Abraham and President Pacquero voted ‘aye.’ The council listed the Wagoner Road Phase 2 contract for support services and related appropriations for first reading; staff said they will confirm the correct funding source and, if needed, adjust the funding language on the next reading.

The meeting concluded with council members offering community acknowledgements and a reminder that the next regular council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.