Versailles council adopts resolution opposing HB 335, approves engineering studies and policy updates

The Versailles Village Council on June 25 unanimously adopted Resolution No. 25-32 urging the Ohio General Assembly to reject House Bill 335, which the village says would eliminate unvoted inside millage and shift local budgeting authority to county budget commissions.

Village Administrator Francis, addressing council during new business, told members that "inside millage is a vital source of revenue that supports the provision of essential services such as police and fire for the village," and estimated that passage of HB 335 would reduce the village's inside millage revenue by $161,360. Councilor Paulus moved to declare the resolution an emergency, suspend the rules for immediate second and third readings, and the council approved the resolution by a unanimous vote.

The resolution directs the village to oppose HB 335 at the state level; Attorney Matthew Pierron read the measure by title and council did not record additional debate beyond the administrator's explanation and the unanimous emergency adoption.

At the same meeting, council approved two professional services contracts with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for preliminary engineering studies required by the village's Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Council authorized a $135,000 study for the Village Water Treatment Plant (CIP item 25-P46) and a $140,000 study for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (CIP item 25-P56). Ms. Shaffer moved both contracts and each passed on unanimous votes.

Council acted on multiple personnel and policy recommendations from the Personnel & Policies Committee. The body approved updates to EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT/Paramedic job descriptions to permit full- or part-time employment and to set FLSA status as non-exempt. It also approved revisions to the village's billing and collection procedures for utility payments and updates to the policies that govern provision of electric services; all passed on unanimous votes.

Council also approved a one-time rest period of 3.75 hours for five Village Electric Department linemen who were called in to repair storm-related damage on June 15; power to the affected area was restored about 2:00 a.m. after the outage. The council accepted an anonymous $300 donation for the Community Pool Party as part of the consent agenda and scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Tax Budget for July 9 at 6:45 p.m.

Village Administrator Francis used his administrative report to list several other items: a $9,182 grant from the Darke County Parks District for dugout shelters at Indian Creek Park; sale of a 2012 Ford F-250 on GovDeals for $7,601 with proceeds returning to the Street Fund; infrastructure work including a culvert replacement on Hickey Avenue; and recent training provided to field staff. He also reported likely record electric demand during the recent heat and warned customers they could see higher bills in July.

Francis said he submitted written opponent testimony to the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee and has been coordinating with local officials, including Versailles schools' Superintendent Dave Harmon and Darke County commissioners, and said Representative Angie King has voiced opposition to HB 335. The council entered executive session later in the meeting to consider personnel and property matters and returned with no decisions reported. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

"The resolution is not a local law change; it is the council's formal statement to the General Assembly opposing a change to how inside millage is collected and distributed," Village Administrator Francis said during the meeting.

Council's next regular meeting will be July 9, 2025, when the public hearing on the 2026 Tax Budget is scheduled to be held.