Port Clinton council adopts emergency measures for fire levy, wastewater crane and infrastructure funding

Port Clinton — The Port Clinton City Council unanimously adopted several time-sensitive measures on Feb. 24 that city leaders said are needed to maintain public safety services and advance water and sewer infrastructure projects.

The council voted 6–0 to adopt Ordinance 5-26, an emergency purchase authorizing the director of safety and service to contract with QT Equipment for a new utility crane truck for the wastewater treatment plant without competitive bidding. The ordinance text, read aloud at the meeting, says the purchase is justified "due to the real and present emergency that arose when the city's current utility crane truck was rendered unsafe." Clerk read the ordinance on the floor.

Miss Shanker, the city attorney who presented several time-sensitive items, urged the council to approve Resolution 26-1 on first reading to ensure correct language for the board of elections. The council adopted the amended resolution, which submits a 3.9-mill property tax levy to voters for five years to fund fire and EMS apparatus, stations, vehicles, communications and personnel. The resolution text states the levy "amounts to $147 for the $200,000 of the county auditor's appraised market value" and would first be due in 2027. The council retained the emergency clause and approved the resolution 6–0.

The council also repealed Ordinance 36-25 via Ordinance 7-26 and adopted Ordinance 8-26, which updates the dedicated repayment source language and authorizes the director to prepare and submit applications for a range of water and sanitary sewer infrastructure projects. Ordinance 8-26 lists projects including water meter replacement, lead service line inventory and replacement, Lakeshore Drive (State Route 163) repairs, Brooklyn Street sanitary pump station rehabilitation, Perry/Monroe/Harrison improvements, elevated water tank base work, wastewater treatment plant pump and HVAC improvements, and Laurel Avenue reconstruction. The ordinance explicitly authorizes applications to state and federal funding programs named in the text (OWDA, OEPA, ODOD, CDBG, WPCLF, WSRLA, OPWC, SIB and other available programs). The council waived additional readings, retained the emergency clause and adopted 8-26 by recorded roll call vote.

"We ended the year with this much in each of the numerous funds," said Mr. Below (administration) during the meeting's budget discussion, summarizing the certificate of estimated resources for fiscal year 2026 and noting the city is projecting about "$3 million in income tax revenue" in the coming year. Mr. Below also referenced a $225,000 transfer the council approved last year to partially cover fire department needs.

Other business included a treasurer's report from Mr. Taylor (bed tax collected YTD $15,451.90; documentary tax $150; short-term rental registration fees $13,200) and a public-works update from Mr. Saf about ongoing riprap/erosion work and a Republic Services yard-waste pickup program scheduled April 1–Oct. 31 at $10 per month (billed as $70 for the seven-month season) with pickup rules for bundled limbs and yard waste.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 5-26 (emergency purchase of crane truck; contract with QT Equipment; no-bid due to emergency): Adopted; recorded vote 6–0. - Resolution 26-1 as amended (3.9-mill fire/EMS levy, five years): Adopted; recorded vote 6–0. The text specifies a 3.9-mill levy and estimates $147 on a $200,000 valuation; first due 2027. - Ordinance 7-26 (repeal Ordinance 36-25): Adopted; recorded vote 6–0. - Ordinance 8-26 (authorize funding applications for water/sewer infrastructure and update repayment-source language): Adopted; recorded vote 6–0. - Ordinance 9-26 (community housing impact and preservation agreement with Ottawa County): Moved to second reading on March 10, 2026. - Ordinance 10-26 (FY2026 appropriations): Moved to second reading on March 10, 2026.

What happens next

Council members asked staff to advance the funding applications listed in Ordinance 8-26 and to bring the certificate of estimated resources and the FY2026 appropriations back to the finance committee and to the full council for further detail. Ordinances 9-26 and 10-26 will appear for a second reading on March 10, 2026. The council entered and returned from two executive sessions during the meeting (sale of real estate; employee compensation) and adjourned afterward.

Reporting notes: All votes and ordinance/resolution texts were read on the record during the Feb. 24 meeting. Quotes in this article are taken from the city transcript and were attributed to speakers as presented during the meeting.