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Akron council approves $25/hour pay raise for village employee, $3,000 park camera fund and training costs
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Village of Akron council approved payroll and bills totaling $53,800.12, raised a public works employee’s pay to $25/hour effective April 1, set aside $3,000 for upgraded park cameras, and approved firefighter training/travel expenses and administrative items including a new employment contract and 2026 meeting calendar.
The Village of Akron council on Jan. 20 approved a series of routine administrative and public-safety items, including a pay increase for a public works employee, funding for park security cameras and shared training costs for the fire department.
President R. Huizar opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.; council members present were R. Huizar, M. Strasz, T. Nusz and T. Tait. The council approved the Dec. 16, 2025 minutes and voted to pay bills, obligations and payroll totaling $53,800.12.
In a personnel action, the council approved a motion by council member M. Strasz to raise S. Bills’ hourly wage from $20.00 to $25.00, effective April 1, 2026. The motion was seconded by T. Nusz and passed on a 4–0 vote. The increase was discussed during the meeting under the treasurer and personnel items.
Council members also approved funding for upgraded park security cameras. Public Works employee S. Bills estimated the camera upgrade “would probably not exceed $3,000,” and the council voted 4–0 on a motion by T. Nusz to create a $3,000 reserve in Buildings and Grounds/Park funds to cover the upgrade.
The fire department reported upcoming Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) training on Jan. 26, 2026, to be shared with Fairgrove; the council approved Akron’s share of travel costs for that training, authorizing between $500 and $750. The department also scheduled CPR/AED training in February and plans a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Feb. 22, 2026.
Clerk Charlynn Wilson told the council that the BS&A cloud upgrade for utility billing and tax functions will go live on Jan. 26, 2026. The council approved the 2026 council meeting calendar (motion by T. Nusz, seconded by T. Tait) and a new village employment contract (motion by T. Tait, seconded by M. Strasz); both motions passed 4–0.
Council members discussed infrastructure priorities, including water quality, the DPW building and street repairs, and repeated the need to pursue grant funding. Public Works reported recent maintenance work, removal of holiday decorations, snow plowing, and a discovered broken pipe at a vacant house that caused excessive water usage.
The meeting also noted the village’s implementation of the Frontline Strong Together (FST5) program, a free support service for first responders and their families covering stress prevention, trauma treatment and related services; materials have been received and the service will be made available to village employees. Councilmember T. Nusz raised the possibility of adding playground equipment to the park during new business; no formal motion on playground equipment was recorded.
Votes at a glance: - Approve Dec. 16, 2025 minutes — Motion: T. Nusz; second: M. Strasz; outcome: approved 4–0. - Approve bills, obligations and payroll ($53,800.12) — Motion: M. Strasz; second: T. Nusz; outcome: approved 4–0. - Raise S. Bills’ wage to $25/hour, effective April 1, 2026 — Motion: M. Strasz; second: T. Nusz; outcome: approved 4–0. - Establish $3,000 park camera fund — Motion: T. Nusz; second: T. Tait; outcome: approved 4–0. - Approve Akron’s share of H2S training travel costs ($500–$750) — Motion: T. Tait; second: M. Strasz; outcome: approved 4–0. - Approve 2026 council meeting calendar — Motion: T. Nusz; second: T. Tait; outcome: approved 4–0. - Approve new employment contract — Motion: T. Tait; second: M. Strasz; outcome: approved 4–0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The minutes were signed by Charlynn Wilson, Akron Village Clerk.
