Eaton City Council adopts 2027 tax budget, approves multiple contracts and equipment purchases

Eaton City Council on Monday adopted its 2027 tax budget and approved a series of routine contracts and equipment purchases, all by unanimous votes.

At the start of the meeting Mayor Joe Renner opened a public hearing on Resolution 26-24, the 2027 Tax Budget; no members of the public addressed council and Councilman Brad Moore moved for adoption. Councilman Tony Matlock seconded and the motion passed with all five members voting aye (Ball, Matlock, Moore, Kirsch, Renner).

Council then heard first readings of two ordinances. Law Director Ryan Brunk read Ordinance 26-04, which would repeal and reenact Section 1113.05(d)(3)(A,B) of the city code; Councilman Tony Matlock moved for a first reading by title and the motion passed. Councilman Brad Moore moved for a first reading by title of Ordinance 26-05, which would authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement to purchase two parcels totaling 8,501.62 square feet at 133 North Barron Street; that motion also passed as a first reading. Neither ordinance was adopted at the meeting.

Council approved a set of resolutions described as routine municipal business. Resolutions adopted included:

- Resolution 26-25: award of the annual rock salt bid (motion by Tony Matlock, seconded by Jim Ball; vote: Ball, Matlock, Moore, Kirsch, Renner — 5 ayes). - Resolution 26-26: authorization to stripe certain city streets (motion by Brad Moore, seconded by Jim Ball; unanimous ayes). - Resolution 26-27: authorization for the City Manager to execute a contract for engineering services for safety studies at the intersections of Aukerman Street/E. Lexington Rd. and Aukerman Street/Eaton Lewisburg Rd. (motion by Tony Matlock, seconded by Brad Moore; unanimous ayes). - Resolution 26-28: authorization to purchase a 2026 Kubota RTV with equipment package for Mound Hill Cemetery (motion by Brad Moore, seconded by Tony Matlock; unanimous ayes). - Resolution 26-29, 26-30 and 26-31: authorizations to sell excess equipment by Mound Hill Cemetery and the Eaton Police Division (motions moved and seconded as recorded; unanimous ayes).

Minutes and the May 2026 financial report were approved early in the meeting. Councilman Brad Moore moved to approve the Clerk’s Journal entries and accept the tapes as the official minutes for the May 18, 2026 regular meeting; Councilman Jim Ball seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting record shows each of the votes noted above as Ayes: Ball, Matlock, Moore, Kirsch, Renner (5); Nays: None (0). No substantive debate or public opposition to the adopted resolutions was recorded in the minutes.

The city also convened an executive session later in the evening under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(2) to discuss acquisition of real property; Council invited executive staff and returned to open session with no action taken.

The council adjourned at the end of the meeting; the next regular council meeting is scheduled for July 20, 2026.