Buckeye Lake council approves Walnut Road acquisition and appraisal contracts and several emergency appropriations

Buckeye Lake Village Council voted on Sept. 8, 2025, to authorize two contracts tied to the Walnut Road sidewalk and roadway upgrade project (PID #117102) and to adopt four amendments to the village’s permanent appropriations ordinance.

Council first introduced Ordinance 2025-51, authorizing the mayor to contract with O.R. Colan Associates LLC for right-of-way acquisition services for the Walnut Road project. After a motion to suspend the rules (mover: Councilor Kellie Green) passed 5–2, Councilor Douglas Keener moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Councilor Kellie Green. The roll-call adoption vote was Yes — Keener, Lemmon, Wadley, Wolfe, Cable, Green; Nay — Julian; the ordinance passed 6–1.

Council then introduced and adopted Ordinance 2025-52 to authorize contract with Martin+Wood Appraisal Group Ltd. for appraisal review services for the Walnut Road project. The council suspended the rules and adopted the ordinance; the adoption vote was recorded as Yes — Keener, Lemmon, Wadley, Wolfe, Cable, Green; Nay — Julian; motion passed 6–1.

Council also adopted four emergency amendments to Ordinance 2024-66 (the permanent appropriations ordinance) recorded as Ordinances 2025-53, 2025-54, 2025-55 and 2025-56. The suspension-of-rules and adoption votes varied across the items; two of the appropriations amendments were recorded as unanimous roll-call adoptions (2025-53 and 2025-54, recorded 7–0), while 2025-55 and 2025-56 passed 6–1 (one recorded no vote each by Councilor Sue Wadley on different items). The council did not detail specific line-item amounts or program allocations during the floor discussion recorded in the transcript.

During discussion on Ordinance 2025-56, Mayor Linda Goodman explained that the village has used the consulting firm OHM on an as‑needed basis to advise planning and zoning after the new zoning code was paid for by a Licking County grant and because a Development Director position was not included in the budget. "If we had a Development Director, we would not need this company," the mayor said, describing OHM’s role in attending planning commission meetings and advising staff. She also noted that, if the council decides not to renew a contract, they must notify the contractor by Nov. 1.

Councilors’ floor comments included concern from Councilor Sue Wadley about the frequency of emergency appropriations, particularly ahead of a potential village income tax election; Councilor Kellie Green thanked "Al from RITA" for participating in an income tax town hall earlier that evening. No citizen comments on these items were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The council adjourned at 7:43 p.m.; the clerk will hold the official contracts and appropriation ordinances with the formal text and any effective dates or budgetary details.