Newark City Council tables emergency pay ordinance, approves two funding measures

The Newark City Council voted 5–4 to table Ordinance 26-23, an emergency measure setting compensation policy for department chiefs and deputy chiefs, until the council’s July 6 meeting.

Council member Mr. Barker introduced the emergency ordinance and later moved to postpone consideration, saying, "I would make a motion to table this to July 6th, our next council meeting when we will have a full council to decide on this." Council members who were present split on whether to proceed immediately; the motion to table carried five to four.

The ordinance had been introduced as an emergency measure; supporters argued for quick action while those favoring the delay said compensation packages should be decided by a full council. The transcript records no formal adoption of the ordinance at this meeting; the item will return to the July 6 agenda.

Separately, the council adopted Resolution 26-33, authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the Ohio attorney general for the federal fiscal year 2026 "shine a light on dumpers" grant. The motion to adopt 26-33 passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

The council also approved Resolution 26-34, an appropriation ordinance for current municipal expenses, by unanimous roll call.

Routine procedural business included a successful motion to excuse Council member Mr. Marmy and approval of the meeting minutes. Council staff indicated that several other ordinance and resolution items (26-20, 26-36 and 26-37) were being held for future meetings or additional review.

The council’s next regular meeting was confirmed for July 6, where the tabled emergency ordinance (26-23) is scheduled to return to the agenda.