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Tallmadge council adopts three ordinances on police hiring, parks staffing and ambulance purchase
Summary
The Tallmadge City Council on July 9 unanimously adopted Ordinances 2026-52 and 2026-55 and approved Ordinance 2026-56 to buy an ambulance; council also passed a resolution honoring two state track champions. Votes on the three ordinances were 6–0.
Tallmadge City Council members on July 9 approved a package of personnel and procurement measures, including new rules aimed at police recruitment, a reclassification in the parks and recreation department and authorization to purchase a new ambulance.
Councilman Jonathan Bolas opened the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-52, which would amend Ordinance 2026-43 and direct the Tallmadge Civil Service Commission to adopt rules that differ from the general law for hiring police patrol officers. After no public testimony, council adopted the ordinance on third reading by a 6–0 roll-call vote.
“I know this would benefit our recruiting efforts,” Councilman Bolas said during the discussion.
The council also adopted Ordinance 2026-55 at third reading, which establishes the number of non‑collective bargaining employees by department and reclassifies the parks and recreation superintendent position from classified to unclassified status. The administration and personnel committee said the role was the department’s sole remaining classified position and that reclassification will streamline hiring for a vacancy.
Finance Chair Dave Klein introduced Ordinance 2026-56 to authorize the mayor to enter a cooperative purchase contract through Sourcewell to buy a new ambulance. Director of Finance Molly Gilbride told council the cost would be “about a quarter million dollars,” and members said ordering now is prudent because ambulances can take years to be delivered. The ordinance was adopted at first reading by a 6–0 vote.
Votes at a glance Ordinance 2026-52 (third reading) — adopt; mover: Chair; second: Dave Klein; roll-call: Tracy Fletcher (yes), Ted Roy (yes), Jonathan Bolas (yes), Jessica Epstein (yes), Lindsay Holm (yes), Dave Klein (yes); outcome: approved 6–0. Ordinance 2026-55 (third reading) — adopt; mover: Dave Klein; second: (recorded); roll-call: Ted Roy (yes), Jonathan Bolas (yes), Jessica Epstein (yes), Lindsay Holm (yes), Dave Klein (yes), Tracy Fletcher (yes); outcome: approved 6–0. Ordinance 2026-56 (first reading/adopted at first reading) — ambulance purchase authorization; mover: Chair (as stated); second: Mayor Kilweg; roll-call: council recorded unanimous yes votes; outcome: approved 6–0. Resolution 2026-7R — congratulatory resolution for Tallmadge High athletes; adopted 6–0.
What happens next The ordinances adopted at third reading take effect as provided by local rules; the ambulance purchase authorization will allow the administration to place an order through the Sourcewell cooperative purchase process and begin replacement scheduling. Council did not identify additional substantive conditions or contingencies during the meeting.
Sources: Council discussion and roll-call votes recorded July 9, 2026, Tallmadge City Council meeting (public hearing and motion segments).
