The Bellefontaine council met in regular session Tuesday night and agreed to lock in a new electric rate for city facilities for the next four years. Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds told the council that the ordinance allowing the city to guarantee the aggregated rate was being added to the agenda, as his office found out earlier today what that rate would be. Due to the volatile nature of electric rates, Dodds urged the council to add the ordinance to the agenda and pass it.
In his report to the council, Mayor David Crissman said he has been attending meetings with the consultant on the Master Plan and that work on it continues. He also said he helped interview several firefighter candidates with Chief Brian Wilson.
Service-Safety Director Dodds also said that he has met with several citizens about the return of black vultures to the area. He has been in discussion with the Ohio Division of Fish and Game about remedies to alleviate the gatherings of buzzards around the city.
Fire Chief Brian Wilson informed the council that 13 candidates have been interviewed for potential openings the department may see. He also said the graphics for the new engine have been applied, and it is being customized to fit the department’s needs. He also said that the new station alert system has been installed, and now, the ‘bugs’ are being worked out of the system.
Police Chief Chris Marlow told the council that he and SSD Dodds interviewed five candidates for the position of police officer. He said the department expects several retirements in the next several months and hopes to have the candidates certified by Civil Service and ready to hire, pending additional testing.
Joint Recreation Department Superintendent Rick Reed updated the council on several projects. He said that work on the Harmon Park project is continuing on schedule, with the underground work wrapping up. He also said that the design work on the Hoffman Pool project is nearly completed and will be made public soon.
He said that the target opening date for the pool is May 23, and the season will conclude on August 1. Since the season is abbreviated, he said the pass will be cheaper. He also said that his office has entered into an agreement with the Hillaker YMCA that will allow Hoffman Pool pass holders to swim at the YMCA for a period after the pool closes on August 1.
Reed discusses the work on the pool project:
In the legislative portion of the meeting, several ordinances were presented:
For first reading –
- 26-07 – An ordinance making permanent appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Passed on first reading only.
- R26-08 – A resolution in support of Logan County Cooperative Power and Light Association, Inc., its successors and assigns, providing electric power and energy to certain properties located at Wren Avenue, Michigan Street, E. Lake Avenue, and Ludlow Road. Passed on first reading only.
- 26-09 – An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to enter into an electric service agreement with Dynegy Energy Services East, LLC. Motion to waive the 48-hour rule passed. Motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. Motion to pass on first and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
For second reading –
- 26-04 – An ordinance authorizing and creating a full-time Deputy Bailiff/Probation Officer position for Bellefontaine Municipal Court and authorizing the Municipal Judge and Clerk of Court to take the necessary action for the hiring of said position. Motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. Motion to pass on second and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
For third reading –
- 26-02 – An ordinance to authorize the Service Safety Director to seek bids to improve the runway and taxiway lighting at the Bellefontaine Regional Airport. Ordinance adopted.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine Council will be Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
