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Council approves $36,000 grant-writing contract, joins ODOT salt-purchasing program
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 2026-028 to contract with Insight Advisory Group for up to $36,000 for grant writing and consulting and passed Resolution 2026-029 to join ODOT's cooperative sodium-chloride purchasing program for 2026-27; members and public asked for clarity about Insight's role.
Red Oak City Council on April 21 approved two emergency resolutions: a contract with Insight Advisory Group for grant-writing and consulting services not to exceed $36,000 (Resolution 2026-028) and participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation cooperative purchasing program for sodium chloride for the 2026-27 winter season (Resolution 2026-029).
Both measures were brought forward, had the rules suspended, and were adopted by roll-call votes. During debate on the Insight contract, Councilman Tinker said he had "some reservation" about Insight's performance, telling colleagues that the firm "didn't meet the expectation" of finding new grant opportunities and instead assisted primarily with grants the city might have applied for on its own. Tinker said he voted for the contract because the city needs grant-writing capacity.
A resident, Cynthia Johnson, later sought clarification in public comment on whether Insight had applied for grants for which the city was ineligible; council members and staff responded that at times directors had provided information to Insight that affected which applications were pursued and that process issues, rather than the contractor alone, had contributed to gaps in results.
On the salt purchase resolution, Councilwoman Willis thanked the public works department for maintaining roads during the recent storm and said the cooperative purchasing arrangement will keep the city's winter program prepared for the next season.
No contract amendments or dollar changes were made other than the $36,000 not-to-exceed figure recorded at the meeting. Council did not provide a detailed performance metric for Insight at the time of adoption; council members asked staff to continue oversight and ensure the firm is tasked with identifying new grant opportunities for the city.
Votes at a glance: minutes and procedural motions were approved unanimously; Resolution 2026-028 (Insight contract) adopted (roll-call yes votes); Resolution 2026-029 (ODOT salt purchasing) adopted (roll-call yes votes).
