Obetz council adopts lean 2026 budget, creates reserve accounts and approves cybersecurity, AMI and other measures

The Obetz City Council unanimously adopted a pared-down 2026 budget on Dec. 15 that city officials say reduces spending by about $4 million and creates two reserve funds to stabilize income-tax refunds and employee leave cash-outs.

City Administrator E. Rod Davisson told council the tentative budget is the lowest the city has had in about five years and that this year Obetz paid out roughly $1 million in income-tax refunds. He said the administration plans to earmark money into two reserve accounts so core services are not affected if refunds or other expenses spike.

"We started departments at zero and built from there," Mayor Angela Kirk said, describing the budgeting process and noting the administration’s intent to protect services while maintaining capital priorities.

Votes at a glance Ordinance 61-25 (2026 Permanent Appropriations): adopted unanimously (motion Richardson; second Gibbs). Ordinance 62-25 (recurring contracts for continuous operations): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 63-25 (Buckstone Bend Section 3 Phase A final plat): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 64-25 (city cybersecurity program): adopted unanimously; described as aligning Obetz with State of Ohio requirements. Ordinance 65-25 (water and sewer rates): second reading; requires a third reading (no final vote). Ordinance 67-25 (payment to ShareFile LLC — emergency): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 68-25 (Advanced Metering Infrastructure contracting procedure for gas and electric): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 69-25 (tenant improvements for Orchard 38 Business Incubator): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 71-25 (accept donation of ~3.79 acres from the Varga family): adopted unanimously. Ordinances 72-25 and 73-25 (accept salvage rights at 2900 and 2888 Bixby Road): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 74-25 (acceptance of Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 75-25 (establish reserve balance accounts under Ohio Revised Code §5705.13): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 76-25 (changes to 2025 appropriations, including fund transfers): adopted unanimously. Ordinance 77-25 (accept donation of fiber optic materials/labor from Kirk Excavating & Construction Co. for Fortress Obetz): adopted unanimously.

City administration and council also discussed several specifics that shaped the budget. Davisson said capital spending was reduced by over $1 million and that economic-development efforts produced the city’s best income-tax revenue year on record for 2025. Council members asked about event and development budgets; Mayor Kirk said additional revenue streams had been identified for Zucchinifest, including charging admission for one concert, to offset rising festival costs.

On infrastructure and operations, council approved moving forward with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) contracting procedure intended to improve gas and electric metering. Davisson characterized the AMI authorization as a separate system from the city’s water metering program. The council also enacted an ordinance establishing a formal cybersecurity program, which Davisson said conforms with State of Ohio policy and formalizes protections the city has maintained.

The meeting included a cluster of donor-related and development votes: council accepted a donation of approximately 3.79 acres from members of the Varga family, authorized salvage-rights transfers for two outbuildings on Bixby Road, approved tenant-improvement contracting for the Orchard 38 Business Incubator (intended to use the original builder for cost savings), and accepted donated fiber optic materials and labor to enhance Fortress Obetz event capabilities.

In other business, Mayor Kirk reported on community holiday efforts coordinated through the Holiday Hope Program, naming local partners and donors who helped provide gifts, clothing and turkeys for families in need. Police Chief Michael Confer reminded residents not to leave packages in vehicles and reviewed the city’s 2-inch parking rule tied to local snow emergencies, noting that road priorities and cold-temperature limits on salt effectiveness affect plowing operations.

Council confirmed two Planning & Zoning Commission appointments that will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and then met in executive session under Ohio Revised Code §121.22(g)(1) to discuss personnel matters; the body entered executive session at 6:58 PM and returned at 8:04 PM. No formal action arising from the executive session was reported; council adjourned at 8:05 PM.

What’s next: Ordinance 65-25 (water and sewer rates) requires a third reading before final action; otherwise the administration indicated ongoing monitoring and reprioritization of capital projects for 2026.