State awards $150,000 for community park; council advances funds so work can start

Council members were told the Ohio state budget included $150,000 earmarked for the village’s community park. Solicitor Chris Moore and council members said that federal/state action reduces the local carryover needed from roughly $155,000 to $5,412.32. To allow work to proceed before the state disbursement arrives, council approved an emergency advance of $150,000 from the general fund to Community Park Improvement Fund #2042; the auditor recommended using an advance so the project can start and the state check can repay the advance once it arrives.

A community representative who spoke during the meeting credited Representative Bird with securing the $150,000 and said Representative Justin Pizzulli notified them the bill had become law; the presenter said the law requires about 90 days for the funds to arrive, and waiting that long would delay work into the fall. "Representative Bird called us... he might get us beyond $25 to $50,000... he ended up getting us $150,000," the presenter said.

Council also moved to rescind an earlier oral action related to the playground fund and separately approved a small emergency transfer of $5,412.32 to cover the unfunded portion until state funds arrive. Separately, Sardinia Church of Christ — through a water-department contact, Eric Steven — offered to remove, transport and reinstall the village’s used playground equipment at no charge; the church estimated about $12,000 in labor and materials and would sign liability releases.

What happens next: Council advanced funds to allow park work to begin; the village expects the state check in about 90 days, at which point the advance will be repaid. The question of whether to give away or relocate used playground equipment was left for further council discussion.