The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night and heard that the city will host a fireworks show for the first time in years. The fireworks show, in conjunction with the nation-wide America 250 Celebration, will take place at either Blue Jacket Park or the fairgrounds on July 3, according to Bellefontaine Mayor David Crissman. Mayor Crissman talks about the return of the fireworks show:
Additionally, there will be an emphasis on making the 2026 Memorial Day parade bigger and better attended. For more information about the upcoming America 250 celebrations, click here.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds informed the council that excavation work has begun at Harmon Park, and work is progressing on schedule. He also discussed an ordinance for the council to consider that would allow a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the Hoffman Pool project. Dodds said that adding a CMR would increase transparency into costs and provide more opportunities for feedback between the construction crew and the city.
In his report, Police Chief Chris Marlow told the council that new applicants are being evaluated as the hiring process for more officers continues. He also told the council that Patrol Officer Kollin Stollar was recognized as Officer of the Year and Amanda Metz was tabbed as Dispatcher of the Year.
Marlow said that the next Citizens’ Police Academy will start on February 19th.
Fire Chief Brian Wilson updated the council on several projects, including the continued preparation work on the department’s new engine. He also said technicians will be coming to work on the new radio equipment in the near future, and that project is continuing. He also said that plans are underway to interview 17 candidates in the coming days.
Bellefontaine City Engineer Jim Bischoff updated the council on the GoBus route that is coming to the city. As previously reported, Bellefontaine will be an official stop on the bus route. Bischoff said that residents can purchase presale tickets starting tomorrow (2/11), and the routes will begin on March 2.
Bischoff said Bellefontaine will be on the GoBus Red route, which connects Toledo to Cincinnati. He said that there will be two northbound stops and two southbound stops, and those routes will run seven days a week.
The council considered several ordinances for first reading in the legislative portion of the meeting:
- 26-03 – An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director and Parks Superintendent to enter into a Construction Manager at Risk agreement and a construction contract for the Hoffman pool project. Motion to waive the three reading rule made. Ordinance passed on first and final reading. Ordinance adopted.
- 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. Ordinance passed on first reading only.
- 26-05 – An ordinance authorizing and creating a part-time Probation Case Manager 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 made. Ordinance passed on first and final reading. Ordinance adopted.
- 26-06 – An ordinance amending the 2026 Bellefontaine Municipal Court wage ordinance to include a full-time Deputy Bailiff/Probation Officer and Probation Case Manager. Motion to waive the three reading rule made. Ordinance passed on first and final reading. Ordinance adopted.
One ordinance was given its second 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 passed on second reading only.
Clerk of Council Bonnie Campbell told the council that she received a request for a new liquor license for the new Speedway convenience store on US 68 North, and for the Village Pantry/Marathon station on North Main Street.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be on February 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
