Bellefontaine Ordinance 26-50, the much-debated so-called “Golf Cart Ordinance,” was defeated at Tuesday night’s Bellefontaine City Council meeting. The ordinance, which would have allowed low-speed and under-speed utility vehicles to operate on certain streets within the city limits, was defeated after a rare vote by the council president.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, an ordinance or resolution must receive a simple majority of council members voting in favor of its passage. At tonight’s meeting, council member Nick Davis was not in attendance. Council members Kyle Springs, Jenna James, and Devin Palmer voted in favor of the ordinance, while council members Wes Easton, Mick Lile, and Jordan Reser voted against it.
Because the vote was tied 3-3, Council President Ben Stahler cast the tie-breaking vote. Citing opposition to the ordinance expressed by many citizens, City Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds, and Police Chief Christopher Marlow, President Stahler voted no.
The City Service-Safety Director and Police Chief have come out against this ordinance. Therefore, I will be voting no. – Council President Ben Stahler
Before the legislative portion of the meeting, Service-Safety Director Dodds passed along Mayor David Crissman’s apologies for missing the meeting due to a family emergency. Dodds said Mayor Crissman was contacted by the family of Bryan Dalrymple, the longtime city employee who recently passed away. The family wanted to thank everyone who reached out to express their sympathy.
In his report to the council, City Auditor Fred Brentlinger told the council there were many ordinances for their consideration involving pay rates for city departments and officials. He recommended passing one ordinance, 26-57, immediately because the first pay date for 2027 falls on January 1, 2027, but since that date falls on a holiday, the actual pay date will be December 31, 2026, which means there will be 27 pay dates in 2026.
** With the second meeting in November being canceled, the council needed to get these ordinances in process so they would be in effect by January 1, 2027. **
Police Chief Christopher Marlow said candidates for dispatcher and patrol officer positions have been selected to move through the hiring process, which includes a psychological test and physical exam. He also said that candidates for the open sergeant and lieutenant positions are moving through the process.
City Engineer Jim Bischoff updated the council, relaying that the city Planning Commission recently met and approved the Brighton Meadows Phase 1 Subdivision plans, and that the ordinance was on the agenda for their consideration.
In his report to the council, Logan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ben Vollrath said Bellefontaine recently received another Opportunity Zone designation from the federal government. These zones, based on census tracts certified by the United States Treasury, allow individuals to invest capital gains in these zones, reducing their tax burden.
Vollrath talks about the Opportunity Zone designation and what it means:
Several ordinances were considered in the legislative portion of the meeting:
Ordinances for 1st Reading
26-56 – An ordinance making temporary appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2027. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-57 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of salaries, wages, pensions and Medicare. Motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. Motion to pass on first and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
26-58 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain Bellefontaine Municipal Court employees. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-59 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge for 2027. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-60 – An ordinance authorizing and creating the Assistant Tax Superintendent position for the Bellefontaine Tax Department. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-61 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine. (Service Workers Pay) Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-62 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine. (Clerical Workers Pay) Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-63 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine. (Supervisory Wage) Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-64 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, and Auditor beginning January 1, 2027. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-65 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, and Auditor beginning January 1, 2028. Motion to pass on first reading only passed.
26-66 – Aa ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of fuel. Motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. Motion to pass on first and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
26-67 – An ordinance approving Brighton Meadows Phase I Subdivision Dedication plat containing 7.836 acres in Lake Township. Motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. Motion to pass on first and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
Ordinances for 2nd Reading
26-52 – An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, equipment and services for use in 2027. Motion to pass on second reading only passed.
26-54 – An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Service Safety Director and/or Fire Chief to enter into a grant writing agreement and to apply for a Fiscal Year 2026 Safer Grant for the hiring of six full-time firefighters. Motion to pass on second reading only passed.
Ordinances for 3rd Reading
26-51 – An ordinance establishing Section 331.46 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio authorizing Low-Speed, Under-Speed Utility Vehicles and Mini-Trucks within said city. Motion to table made by Councilmember James motioned to table the ordinance until all council members could be present to vote. Council member Springs second. Councilmembers Springs, James, and Palmer voted to table. Councilmembers Easton, Lile, and Reser voted no. Council President Stahler voted against tabling the ordinance. The ordinance was not tabled. Councilmember James made a motion to adopt the ordinance, Councilmember Springs second. Councilmembers Springs, James, and Palmer voted to adopt. Councilmembers Easton, Lile, and Reser voted no. Council President Stahler voted no. The ordinance fails.
26-51 – An ordinance amending and restating Section 509.11 Sound Amplifying Devices And Loud Noises of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Motion to adopt passed.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 7:30 PM on council chambers.
