Orrville council places 2025 budget on second reading after public hearing

Orrville held a public hearing July 1 on Resolution 18-24, the proposed 2025 budget for the City of Orrville, which the meeting record lists as a $65 million plan, including $8.5 million for the general fund, $7.5 million for tax-supported funds and $49 million for utilities. The record also notes a $240,000 addition to the electric utility budget for purchased power (coal and natural gas) and adjustments to capital projects carried over from 2024.

Council President Paul Vance called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.; Pastor Anthony Johnson of Radiant Life Church gave the invocation. The public hearing on the budget closed with no public questions recorded. Finance Director Strimlan told council that if members wanted a workshop on the budget they could schedule one for Monday by notifying the finance office by Friday.

Councilmember Squirrell moved to place Resolution 18-24 on second reading; Councilmember Handwerk seconded the motion, and the measure passed on a roll-call vote of all ayes. That action does not adopt the budget but advances the ordinance to another reading as provided in council procedure.

During administrative reports, Mayor Plybon highlighted the "Fire in the Sky" community events and downtown 'Rock the Rails' concerts, and extended condolences to the Shumney family. Safety-Service Director Wheeler reported completed work including diamond grinding on Crown Hill at a reported cost of $70,000 and repair work in front of the hospital, and warned that the skate park, pickleball courts and dog park will be closed beginning Friday evening for the fireworks safety zone per ATF requirements. Finance Director Strimlan said the state auditor's office issued a bulletin requiring elected officials and all city employees to complete on-demand training about reporting fraud, waste and abuse by Sept. 28 and submit completion certificates to HR. Strimlan also presented the May Fund Balance report and asked that it be approved subject to audit; Councilmember Shanklin moved, Councilmember Carr seconded, and the motion passed on an all-aye roll call.

Council also voted to enter executive session to consider the sale of property. Councilmember Squirrell moved to enter executive session, Shanklin seconded, and the roll call was all ayes; the executive session began at 7:41 p.m. and ended at 7:57 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2024.

Votes at a glance: approval of minutes from June 15 and June 17 (Shanklin moved; Squirrell seconded; all ayes); May Fund Balance report approved subject to audit (Shanklin moved; Carr seconded; all ayes); Resolution 18-24 placed on second reading (Squirrell moved; Handwerk seconded; all ayes); motion to enter executive session to consider sale of property (Squirrell moved; Shanklin seconded; all ayes); motion to adjourn (Carr moved; Davies seconded; all ayes).