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Orrville council adopts package of resolutions, adjusts 2024 appropriations and clears sidewalk Phase IV payments
Summary
On Nov. 18, 2024 the Orrville City Council unanimously adopted a series of resolutions authorizing 2025 purchase orders, property disposals, insurance contracts, and Phase IV sidewalk contractor payments, and approved a net $2.4 million decrease to 2024 appropriations; temporary 2025 appropriations were given first reading.
Council President Paul Vance presided over the Orrville City Council meeting on Nov. 18, 2024, where the council adopted a package of resolutions that the administration said will allow routine purchasing, dispose of surplus city property, continue insurance broker arrangements and authorize payment for Phase IV sidewalk installations.
The most consequential fiscal action was adoption of Resolution 42-24, an amendment to the city's 2024 appropriations that the administration described as a net decrease of $2.4 million. Finance Director Strimlan told council the decrease reflects the removal of an allocation for a potential property purchase in Baughman Township while increasing wastewater reserves by $300,000 to fund a new all-jet Vac truck and increasing wastewater revenue appropriations by $100,000 to cover unanticipated repairs; smaller increases totaled about $15,000 for cemetery software and EMS supplies. Council approved the fund-balance motion for the period ending Oct. 31, 2024 subject to audit.
On the consent-style legislation, Councilmember Beverly Squirrell placed several measures on first reading and moved that the three-reading rule be suspended so the council could adopt them that evening. Resolution 37-24 authorizes the Safety-Service Director to issue one-year purchase orders without bidding for assorted services and supplies in 2025; council noted annual purchases have not changed materially in recent years. Resolutions 38-24 and 39-24 authorize sale or disposal of unclaimed or surplus police and municipal property, respectively, often via internet auction platforms. Resolution 40-24 allows the Board of Control to contract with insurance brokers for up to three years without bidding, which the administration described as a housekeeping item to ensure broker quotes for different insurance types.
Resolution 41-24 authorizes the Board of Control to enter into agreements, without bidding, to install sidewalks, curb ramps and retaining walls under Phase IV of the Orrville Sidewalk Installation Policy (legislation 19-22). Squirrell said contractors have begun work and that residents who received letters have until early 2026roughly a three-year windowto complete installations to qualify for financial aid. Council adopted that resolution after suspending the reading requirement.
All measures recorded in the minutes passed by unanimous voice vote with the notation "Ayes all; motion carried." The council recessed to executive session at 8:05 p.m. to consider compensation for a public employee or official, then reconvened and adjourned at 9:01 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2024.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 37-24 (purchase orders for 2025): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Davies; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 38-24 (police property disposal, 2025): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Lax; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 39-24 (municipal property disposal, 2025): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Davies; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 40-24 (Board of Control insurance contracts up to 3 years): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Lax; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 41-24 (Sidewalk Installation Policy Phase IV payments): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Shanklin; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 42-24 (2024 appropriations amendment): moved by Beverly Squirrell, seconded by Lax; outcome: adopted (voice vote: "Ayes all"). - Resolution 43-24 (2025 appropriations; first reading): placed on first reading; mover: Beverly Squirrell; second: Handwerk; action: first reading passed.
Background: The adopted amendments reduce overall 2024 appropriations by $2.4 million largely by removing a property acquisition allocation and reallocating funds to wastewater reserves and repairs. The Sidewalk Phase IV authorization implements previously enacted legislation (19-22) and formalizes the city's ability to pay qualifying contractors.
Next steps: Implementation tasks for adopted resolutions fall to the administration and the Board of Control; the minutes do not record specific implementation dates beyond the general timeline for sidewalk installations (residents have until early 2026 to complete qualifying work).
