Finance committee advances $7.9 million capital appropriations plan to council

Finance Committee Chair Neugebauer presented the city’s 2025 capital appropriations (Resolution 2024-R-72A) and recommended sending the package to the full council for a vote. He said the total capital budget for 2025 is $7,889,450 and described the top items: right-of-way acquisition for the Arlington Road project; a $1,600,000 allocation to a new bus garage in partnership with Green Local Schools; a $970,000 resurfacing program for 2025; $525,000 for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the fire division; and a $460,000 city share for the Massillon Road resurfacing project.

Neugebauer said much of the Arlington Road work will be funded by federal sources and that resurfacing work is approximately 80% federally funded for the pavement portion. Planning and public-safety staff confirmed the equipment and partnerships described. Committee members had no objections and the committee voted to bring the capital appropriations forward to the regular council meeting for final consideration.

Why it matters: The capital package funds roadwork, public-safety equipment and a school partnership for infrastructure that will affect transportation, emergency response and local facilities. Several line items involve intergovernmental or grant funding, and federal participation means project timing and specific obligations may depend on external approvals.

Next steps: Committee recommended a council vote at the regular meeting that evening.