The Bellefontaine City Council met for the final time in 2025 on Tuesday evening.
The meeting began with a moment of silence in honor of Kris Myers, Superintendent of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District, who suddenly passed away last week.
Service- Safety Director Wes Dodds said, “To know Kris was to love Kris.”
Dodds talks more about Myers and what is in store for the city in 2026.
In other business, Tom Stevens was appointed to the Shade Tree Commission for a three-year term.
During the legislative portion of the meeting, the following Ordinance action was taken:
Ordinances for 1st reading
- A resolution authorizing the City of Bellefontaine to order the Logan County Auditor to remove an additional tax lien on certain Real Estate Taxes as stated herein. ( A $650 mowing fee was paid by the land owner. Adopted)
- An ordinance approving the Maris Park Phase V Subdivision dedication plat containing 21.180 acres in Jefferson Township and declaring an emergency. (Will contain 53 single-family homes. It was voted to waive the three-reading rule. A 100% vote then adopted it.)
- A resolution adopting a cybersecurity program. (Adopted)
Ordinances for 3rd reading
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, and Auditor for 2026 and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain Bellefontaine Municipal Court employees and declaring an emergency. (2026 Bellefontaine Municipal Court Wage Ordinance) (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge for 2026 and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine and declaring an emergency. (2026 Clerical Workers Pay Ordinance) (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine and declaring an emergency. (2026 supervisory pay ordinance) (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine and declaring an emergency. (2026 service workers pay ordinance) (Adopted)
- An ordinance authorizing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, equipment, and services for use in 2026 and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. (Adopted)
- An ordinance making temporary appropriations for current expenses and Other expenditures during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026, and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Prosecutor’s Secretary/Paralegal and Victim Witness Coordinator, and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine. (Adopted)
- An ordinance authorizing and creating the Chief Deputy Clerk position for Bellefontaine Municipal Court and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance authorizing and creating the inspector/locator position for the Bellefontaine Wastewater Department and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance authorizing and creating the Assistant Water Superintendent position for the Bellefontaine Water Department and declaring an emergency. (Adopted)
- An ordinance authorizing and creating the assistant sewer superintendent Position for the Bellefontaine Wastewater Department and declaring an Emergency. (Adopted)
The final meeting of the year also marked the end of service for three council members, who were honored with recognition and words of appreciation.
Each was thanked for their time, dedication, and contributions to the city government.
Outgoing councilmember John Aler spoke about his time on council and what the role has meant to him:
Makenzie Fitzpatrick also reflected, sharing that the opportunity to serve was a meaningful learning experience:
The evening wrapped up with expressions of gratitude and hopes for a productive year ahead.
The first Bellefontaine City Council meeting of 2026 is scheduled for January 13, where newly seated members will join returning officials to begin the work of the new year.
