Beavercreek council accepts fireworks donation, moves two ordinances to second reading and approves utility-billing audit

The Beavercreek City Council on June 22 recognized a $30,000 donation from the Joshi family to fund the city’s July 4 fireworks, moved two ordinances to second reading and approved a contract to audit utility and telecom billing.

"We could not put on the 4th of July celebration without all of your support," Parks and Recreation Director Zach Wykoff told donors after the council recognized the family’s 12 years of support for the annual display.

In business items, staff introduced Ordinance 26-16, proposing to reduce the speed limit along Shaker Town Road from the city's prior 40 mph designation back to the statutory 35 mph under Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21. Staff said the corridor runs from County Line Road at the west to Yellowbrick/Factory Road on the east and noted resident complaints about speeding, multiple driveways and a middle school along the route. After brief public comment — in which resident Bob Trout said lowering the limit would make only marginal time differences and would not stop habitual speeding — council voted to move the ordinance to a second reading.

Council also considered Ordinance 26-17, the closeout step for the 2025 sidewalk repair program. Staff said the program replaced roughly 1,300 square feet of sidewalk across several south-side neighborhoods; 49 properties were served, 31 have paid in full and 18 remain subject to special assessments. The proposed assessments would be spread over five years with an average annual amount of a little more than $124; no objections were filed during the published review period. Council moved Ordinance 26-17 to a second reading.

On finance matters, council unanimously approved Resolution 26-27 authorizing the city manager to enter an agreement with Spyglass to audit the city’s utility and telecom bills. Staff said the last such audit was completed in 2015; Spyglass’s model typically takes 50% of any refunds it recovers and receives 12 months of recurring savings for implemented recommendations. The presenter said Spyglass typically looks back three to five years for recoverable refunds and that if the city declines recommended changes, no fee is owed.

Council closed the meeting after citizen comment and routine announcements about upcoming Fourth of July events, summer concerts and a parks fundraiser.