Wadsworth meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Wadsworth Council weighs 2027 budget, health insurance changes, and infrastructure bids

Over the past two weeks, Wadsworth City Council and its committees met to discuss the 2027 tax budget, changes to employee health insurance, and several infrastructure projects. No final votes were taken; all items remain pending, and minutes have not yet been published.

2027 tax budget and health insurance

At a special meeting on August 11, council introduced the 2027 tax budget (Resolution 26-093) on first reading. The General Fund budget estimates $20.76 million in revenue and $23.03 million in expenditures, with an ending balance of $13.09 million. The EMS Reserve Fund projects $3.07 million in revenue and $3.47 million in expenditures, ending with $2.64 million. The Fire Equipment Reserve Fund projects $1.12 million in revenue and $655,488 in expenditures, ending with $4.83 million. The budget will be submitted to the Medina County Auditor.

The same meeting continued second reading of Ordinance 26-092, which would authorize agreements with Ohio Government Benefits Cooperative for employee health insurance and stop-loss coverage. Both items were declared emergency measures.

On August 20, council held another special meeting to discuss Ordinance 26-101, which would change employee health insurance payments. The proposal would set premiums at 8% of cost for employees who complete a wellness program and 10% for those who do not. It also introduces a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account option starting January 1, 2027, with a city match of up to $100 per month for single coverage and $200 per month for family coverage. The changes would apply to pay periods beginning on or after August 30, 2026. The ordinance is on first reading and declared an emergency.

Annexation and rezoning

On August 10, the Economic Development & Planning Committee discussed an annexation on Akron Road by Burns Investments, LLC, along with a related rezoning amendment for parcels CLs #9074, 9855, 9995, 9996, and 9998. The committee also reviewed the Wall Rd annexation, considered a North End DORA, and received updates on the Reimer Reserve Subdivision.

At the regular council meeting on August 18, council held a second reading of Ordinance 26-090, which would rezone five city lots to R-2 residential: Lot #9074 from C-3 Commercial, Lot #9855 from R-1 Residential, and Lots #9995, #9996, and #9998 from R-1 Township Residential. A public hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The ordinance is declared an emergency and would need a two-thirds vote for immediate effect.

Infrastructure and public works

The Public Service Committee on August 11 discussed ordinances to advertise and receive bids for the Good Avenue and Longview Drive water line replacement and the South Pardee and Mills Street stormwater improvement project. They also reviewed a request for engineering design services for a water treatment and modeling project, a citywide copier lease, and an update on the CityLink fiber project.

On August 18, the Committee of the Whole/Finance meeting considered several contracts and bidding items, including:

• A contract with TR Snyder Construction, Inc. for the 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program, not to exceed $250,000.
• Advertising and receiving bids for the Good Avenue and Longview Drive water line replacement.
• A contract with Petty Farms, LLC for Lead Service Verification Phase II, at $218,549.50.
• Advertising and receiving bids for Downtown Stormwater Improvements along Mills and Pardee Streets.
• A contract with Kim & Associates, LLC for utility billing debt collections, not to exceed $316,126.17.

Safety and staffing

The Safety Committee on August 12 heard a Flock Safety presentation from Lt. Seth Petit, Sgt. Vivian Feke, Det. James Allenby, and Dispatch Supervisor Katy Cindia. The committee reviewed staffing levels: police have 30 of 34 authorized positions filled, with one conditional offer accepted and a civil service exam scheduled; fire/EMS have 16 of 16 full-time positions filled and 30 part-time, with one conditional offer; dispatch has 8 of 11 authorized positions filled (10 in 2026), with one conditional offer and one candidate in background. The committee also discussed future legislation for an EMS ambulance remount and held an executive session on union matters.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days according to the provided data. The next public hearing on the rezoning ordinance is set for September 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

Wadsworth Council weighs annexation, fiber project, and 2027 budget

Wadsworth City Council held a series of meetings in early August covering annexation, infrastructure spending, and the 2027 budget. No final votes have been published; all items remain pending as minutes are not yet available.

Health insurance and annexation on Aug. 3

The council held a work session on Aug. 3 to discuss health insurance options. Josh Lange from The Fedeli Group gave a presentation. No votes or decisions were scheduled.

Also on Aug. 3, the council reviewed a resolution to provide municipal services to a 1.1978-acre territory proposed for annexation from Wadsworth Township for Burns Investments, Ltd. The resolution lists police, fire, EMS, water, electric, telecommunications, sanitary sewer, and solid waste services, and requires a buffer (landscaping, fences, or streets) if city zoning is incompatible with adjacent township zoning.

Aug. 4: Five ordinances and more

On Aug. 4, the council considered five ordinances: accepting public right of way for Access Road #1 and utility easements for Lot #10300 subdivision; authorizing ODOT asphalt overlay on SR 94 (costs fully covered by ODOT); purchasing electronics/materials for the CityLink fiber project up to $275,000 from Graybar Electric; selling a 1999 Pierce/Navistar heavy rescue truck to Medina County EMA for $35,000; and requesting a finalized 15-year capital improvement plan by Oct. 1, 2026.

At the same meeting, the council also considered a resolution for the expedited annexation of 1.1978 acres from Wadsworth Township for Burns Investments, Ltd, plus a $535,000 contract for an Altec Model DX53E hydraulic digger derrick. Other items included zoning changes for City Lots #9074, #9855, #9995, #9996, and #9998; a supplemental appropriation of $107,350 for fuel; and repeal of Ordinance 26-074 due to a scrivener's error.

Committee reviews Aug. 10-11

The Economic Development & Planning Committee on Aug. 10 discussed an annexation on Akron Road by Burns Investments, LLC, and a related rezoning amendment for several parcels. They also reviewed the Wall Rd annexation after-action, considered a North End DORA, and received updates on the Reimer Reserve Subdivision.

The Public Service Committee on Aug. 11 discussed ordinances to advertise and receive bids for the Good Avenue and Longview Drive water line replacement project and the South Pardee and Mills Street stormwater improvement project. They also considered legislation for engineering design services for a Water Treatment and Modeling Project, a citywide copier lease, and an update on the CityLink fiber project.

Also on Aug. 11, the council held a special meeting to introduce the 2027 tax budget (Resolution 26-093, first reading). The General Fund budget estimates $20.76 million in revenue and $23.03 million in expenditures, with an ending balance of $13.09 million. The EMS Reserve Fund estimates $3.07 million revenue and $3.47 million expenditures, ending balance $2.64 million. The Fire Equipment Reserve Fund estimates $1.12 million revenue and $655,488 expenditures, ending balance $4.83 million. The council also continued consideration of Ordinance 26-092 (second reading) to authorize agreements with Ohio Government Benefits Cooperative for employee health insurance and stop loss coverage. Both items were declared emergency measures.

Safety Committee Aug. 12

The Safety Committee on Aug. 12 heard a Flock Safety presentation from Lt. Seth Petit, Sgt. Vivian Feke, Det. James Allenby, and Dispatch Supervisor Katy Cindia. Staffing updates were provided: police at 30 of 34 authorized (one conditional offer accepted, another civil service exam scheduled); fire/EMS at 16 full-time of 16 authorized plus 30 part-time (one conditional offer accepted); dispatch at 8 of 11 authorized (10 in 2026) with one conditional offer and one in background. The committee also discussed future legislation for an EMS ambulance remount and held an executive session on union matters.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Wadsworth Council to weigh annexation, $535K truck purchase, fiber project

The Wadsworth City Council will consider several items at its Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 meetings, including a proposed annexation, a $535,000 truck purchase, and up to $275,000 in fiber project materials. All items are on the agenda; no votes have been taken yet.

Annexation and zoning

The council will review a resolution to provide municipal services to a 1.1978-acre territory proposed for annexation from Wadsworth Township for Burns Investments, Ltd. The resolution lists services including police, fire, EMS, water, electric, telecommunications, sanitary sewer, and solid waste. It also requires a buffer—such as landscaping, fences, or streets—if city zoning is incompatible with adjacent township land. The annexation appears on both the Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 agendas.

On Aug. 4, the council will also vote on zoning changes for City Lots #9074, #9855, #9995, #9996, and #9998.

Equipment and purchases

The council will consider a $535,000 contract for an Altec Model DX53E hydraulic digger derrick. It will also consider purchasing electronics and materials for the CityLink fiber project, up to $275,000 from Graybar Electric. Separately, the council will consider selling a 1999 Pierce/Navistar heavy rescue truck to Medina County EMA for $35,000.

Other business

Other agenda items include:

• A supplemental appropriation of $107,350 for fuel.
• Repeal of Ordinance 26-074 due to a scrivener's error.
• Acceptance of public right of way for Access Road #1 and utility easements for Lot #10300 subdivision.
• Authorization of ODOT asphalt overlay on SR 94, with costs fully covered by ODOT.
• A request for a finalized 15-year capital improvement plan by Oct. 1, 2026.

Health insurance discussion

On Aug. 3, the council will hold a work session to discuss health insurance. Josh Lange from The Fedeli Group will give a presentation. No votes or decisions are scheduled for this session.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Wadsworth Council Reviews Annexation, Levy Proposals, and Infrastructure Projects in Mid-July Meetings

Wadsworth City Council and its committees held a series of meetings July 7–15 covering a proposed 94-acre annexation, fire and EMS levy changes for the November ballot, a $920,359 construction contract, and several infrastructure updates. All items below come from published agendas; minutes have not yet been posted, so no final votes or outcomes are confirmed.

Wall Road Annexation

Council reviewed Resolution 26-09, which addresses the expedited Type 2 annexation of 94.2835 acres from Wadsworth Township for Wall Road Development. The resolution outlines that the city would provide police, fire, emergency medical, and solid waste services to the area. Developers would be required to install water and sanitary sewer mains at their own expense. If city zoning is incompatible with remaining township zoning, a buffer such as landscaping, fences, or open space would be required. A traffic impact study and stormwater flow control would also be required.

Fire and EMS Levy Proposals

Council discussed two tax levy measures for the November 3, 2026 election:

• **Resolution 26-10:** A proposed 0.5-mill fire equipment levy.
• **Resolution 26-11:** A proposed 4-mill ambulance and EMS levy.

A July 14 work session reviewed options including a 1.0-mill reduction to the existing 1.5-mill fire levy, which would lower the rate to $11 per $100,000 of assessed value, and a 1.0-mill increase to the 3.0-mill EMS levy, raising the rate to $92 per $100,000. Projected fire levy revenue under the decrease option is $315,700 annually; projected EMS levy revenue with the increase is $2,523,100 annually. Fire cash balance is projected at $2.3 million by 2031, and EMS cash balance at $2 million by 2032.

Seville Road Access Project

Ordinance 26-080 would authorize a contract with Fechko Excavating, LLC for the Seville Road Access Project in an amount not to exceed $920,359.00. Council also reviewed Ordinance 26-081, which would repeal Ordinance 26-078 due to a project description error.

College Street Rezoning

Amended Ordinance 26-062 proposes rezoning City Lots 5049, 5050, and 5051 from R-1 and College Street Gateway to R-2 Residential. A public hearing was scheduled as part of the July 7 meeting. The Economic Development & Planning Committee also discussed the rezoning on July 13.

Other Council Items

• **Resolution 26-04:** Authorizes sale of surplus city vehicles and equipment by internet auction in 2026.
• **Ordinance 26-074:** Authorizes purchase of an Altec Model DX53E hydraulic digger derrick. No dollar amount was listed.
• **Warrant payment:** An ordinance authorizing a warrant of up to $3,472.89 to Purvis Brothers, Inc.
• **Surplus sale:** An ordinance authorizing sale of a 1999 Pierce/International 4900 heavy rescue truck.
• **Capital plan:** A resolution requesting the finalized Fifteen-Year Capital Improvement Plan be submitted to Council by October 1, 2026.
• **Proclamation:** A proclamation for the Wadsworth Meteorite.
• **Annual report:** Presentation of Judge Lewis's 2025 Annual Report.

Safety Committee

The Safety Committee reviewed staffing levels: 30 current police officers against an authorized strength of 34, and 8 current dispatch staff against an authorized strength of 11. The committee also discussed township contract negotiations related to the Fire/EMS Levy, the MARCS Tower Project, and implementation of a cloud-based 9-1-1 system and Prepared 9-1-1 A.I. software.

Public Ways Committee

The Public Ways Committee received updates on the Friedt Park Project, Brickyard Park Remediation and Passive Park, City Hall East Parking Lot, the SR94 & East Reimer Intersection Improvement Project, the 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program, and airport apron, PAPI, and AWOS projects.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should watch for published minutes from the July 7–15 meetings to confirm which items were approved.

Wadsworth Council Tackles 94-Acre Annexation, Rezoning, and Public Safety Staffing

Wadsworth City Council had a full agenda this past week, with the proposed annexation of more than 94 acres from Wadsworth Township and a rezoning of three city lots among the items scheduled for consideration. Minutes from the July 7 and July 8 meetings have not yet been published, so it is not yet confirmed which items were approved.

Land and Annexation

Council was scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on Amended Ordinance 26-062, which would rezone City Lots 5049, 5050, and 5051 from R-1 and College Street Gateway to R-2 Residential.

A separate resolution on the agenda outlined services — including water, electric, and sewer — for the proposed expedited Type 2 annexation of 94.2835 acres by Wall Road Development from Wadsworth Township.

City Equipment and Spending

Several equipment and spending items appeared on the July 7 agenda:

• Resolution 26-04 would authorize the sale of surplus city vehicles and equipment by internet auction in 2026.
• Ordinance 26-074 would authorize the purchase of an Altec Model DX53E hydraulic digger derrick. No dollar amount was listed on the agenda.
• An ordinance would authorize a warrant payment of up to $3,472.89 to Purvis Brothers, Inc.
• An ordinance would authorize the sale of a 1999 Pierce/International 4900 heavy rescue truck.

Capital Planning

Council was also scheduled to consider a resolution requesting that the finalized Fifteen-Year Capital Improvement Plan be submitted to Council by October 1, 2026.

Public Safety Staffing and Contracts

The Safety Committee met July 8 to review staffing and contract matters. According to the agenda, the Wadsworth Police Department currently has 30 officers against an authorized strength of 34, and dispatch currently has 8 staff against an authorized strength of 11.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss township contract negotiations related to the Fire/EMS Levy, an update on the MARCS Tower Project, and implementation of a cloud-based 9-1-1 system and Prepared 9-1-1 A.I. software.

Other Agenda Items

The July 7 meeting included a proclamation for the Wadsworth Meteorite and a presentation of Judge Lewis's 2025 Annual Report.

Coming Up

The Public Ways Committee meets today, July 13, to discuss several municipal infrastructure projects. Agenda items include updates on the Friedt Park Project, Brickyard Park Remediation and Passive Park, the City Hall East Parking Lot Project, the SR94 & East Reimer Intersection Improvement Project, the 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program, and airport apron, PAPI, and AWOS projects.