Bolivar council unanimously approves budget measures, contracts and personnel actions

The Bolivar Village Council on Feb. 5 unanimously approved a package of routine financial, contract and personnel measures and authorized both administrative purchases and required procurement steps.

Council approved January bills totaling $117,380.33 and reported receipts for the month of $60,672.29 (including $1,739.77 in interest from Huntington and Star Ohio). The finance committee secured council authorization for several items: payment of $630 to the Auditor of State for an IPA quality review; purchase of a remote deposit scanner at $545 plus $44 monthly; raising the tax‑administrator hourly rate from $19 to $20 (about $600 annually); forgiveness of a $271.15 water bill under village rules; retroactive collection on an account missed during 2025; purchase of a Stihl HT‑135 pole saw (estimated $635–700) for the street department; and a village property survey for $1,696.20.

In the legislative section council adopted a series of measures by roll call: Resolution R‑3‑2026 (authorize sale of surplus village property by internet auction); Resolution R‑4‑2026 (temporary closure/removal of on‑street parking for special events); Ordinance O‑4‑2026 (permanent appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026); Ordinance O‑5‑2026 (create a temporary, part‑time position for special projects); Ordinance O‑6‑2026 (authorize advertising for public bid the 2026 garbage disposal services contract); Ordinance O‑7‑2026 (authorize mayor and fiscal officer to execute a fire protection agreement with Lawrence Township); Ordinance O‑8‑2026 (approve a lot split/replat application); Ordinance O‑9‑2026 (authorize hiring an assistant fiscal officer); and Ordinance O‑10‑2026 (adopt policies and procedures for vacation of unimproved streets and alleys). The Solicitor read the ODOT consent ordinance and council suspended the rules before approving the ordinance consenting to Ohio Department of Transportation maintenance and marking on state highways inside the village.

During an executive session held under R.C. 121.22(G)(3) to confer with the village attorney on pending litigation, council later authorized dismissal of case number 2025 CV 09 1046 by unanimous vote. Council also accepted Patty Smith’s retirement effective Jan. 22, 2026 and approved Eric Minor’s request to change from full‑time to part‑time status effective March 11.

All listed motions and ordinances passed on unanimous roll call votes. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at 121 Canal Street SE.