North Canton council approves parks administrator position, 2026 appropriations and property transfer

The North Canton City Council adopted three ordinances at its regular meeting, voting to add a full-time parks planning and development administrator, approve 2026 appropriations, and accept a transfer of property to advance an Amler grant.

Council approved the personnel ordinance that adds a parks planning and development administrator and declared the measure an emergency so the city can post the position immediately. Council members said the role will provide operational and strategic leadership while the city develops a parks master plan and will help analyze options for large amenities such as the golf course and pool. The director of administration told council that the new position “will report to me” and will be housed in the administration office.

On the budget side, council established a donations budget for parks of up to $20,000 to allow staff to spend incoming gifts (staff said about $3,000 had already been received), and authorized the use of interest earned on separately invested bonds for the fire station construction fund. Council first read the appropriations ordinance, suspended the three-reading rule and adopted it under suspension.

Council also adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept transfer of real property on Stratavon Drive from the North Canton Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). City staff said the transfer will allow the city to concentrate Amler grant funding on a smaller set of parcels immediately adjacent to Stratavon so the grant dollars can be used to identify and map underground mine workings and, in a second phase, remediate the sites (for example, by grouting) so they can be developed.

All three measures passed after motions to suspend the rules and adoption; in each case the chamber recorded a single opposition and the motions carried. Council had six members present at roll call earlier in the meeting.