Orrville council adopts cybersecurity policy to comply with Ohio House Bill 96

Council member Squirrell moved and Council member Lax seconded a pair of motions Monday that led the Orrville City Council to adopt Resolution 3-26, a Cybersecurity Program Policy described in the resolution as required under Ohio House Bill 96.

The policy was placed on first reading, then Squirrell moved to suspend the usual three-reading requirement; Carr seconded and the suspension passed by voice vote. Squirrell then moved that the resolution be adopted as read; Lax seconded and council members voted "ayes all," carrying the measure.

Council members and staff said the resolution establishes a basic, city-wide cybersecurity policy designed to meet the state's procedural requirement. Council members noted that some state-required training materials are not yet available and that the policy is expected to evolve with state guidance and best practices. The resolution text also declares the matter an emergency to allow immediate adoption.

The council did not record individual roll-call votes in the minutes; the meeting record notes the action passed by unanimous voice vote. City staff said the policy will be used to document the city's cybersecurity practices and to preserve eligibility for state assistance if the city ever needed support with a cyber incident.

The resolution title as recorded is: "Res. 3-26; A Resolution to approve the adoption of a Cybersecurity Program Policy for the City of Orrville, Ohio in accordance with Ohio House Bill 96 and declaring an Emergency." The council's official minutes and the resolution text will be posted on the city website when available.