The “Golf Cart Ordinance” moved one step closer to passing at Tuesday night’s Bellefontaine City Council meeting. The ordinance, which has been hotly debated, needs only one more reading and a simple majority of council members to vote in favor at the next meeting, scheduled for November 10th.
If the ordinance is passed, it goes to Mayor David Crissman for his signature. If the mayor signs it, it takes effect. If the mayor does not sign the legislation, the ordinance will take effect after 10 days. The mayor could veto the ordinance, which would require him to return it to the council with written objections within the timeframe established by council rules.
If that happens, the council could override the mayor’s veto, but it would require a 2/3 majority of council members, currently five, to vote to override it. Thus far, the ordinance has eked by, with four yes and three no votes each time the council has considered it.
In other council action, Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds told the council that work on the berm removal at the Michigan Street retention pond is complete, and work on the Michigan Street Detention facility will begin soon.
Police Chief Chris Marlow told the council that the new cruiser has been delivered, but it will take 6-8 weeks to outfit it for service.
Chief Marlow also said that there are five candidates for the open sergeant position and that the process is ongoing. In addition, two candidates have expressed interest in and have applied for the upcoming lieutenant’s position. That process is ongoing as well.
Fire Chief Brian Wilson relayed that the department received Truck 21 back last night. They have been putting the truck through its paces, and so far, everything is working as it should. He also said the new Medic unit has arrived but will need to be outfitted with equipment from the old unit.
City Engineer Jim Bischoff told the council that the work underway and planned for Michigan Street is designed to mitigate flooding experienced by residents in the area. Bischoff discussed the work being done:
The council considered several pieces of legislation:
Resolutions
- R26-55 – A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into agreements with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Logan County Prosecutor’s Office, Washington Township, Village of Russells Point, and the Village of West Liberty regarding the Logan County Unified Drug Task Force and Mutual Aid, and distribution of forfeited property and mandatory fines. Resolution adopted.
Ordinances for 1st Reading
- 26-52 – An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, equipment, and services for use in 2027. The motion to pass on first reading only passed.
- 26-53 – An Ordinance declaring an emergency with respect to Flood Mitigation Efforts and authorizing the Service-Safety Director to enter into a contract without competitive bidding for the construction of increased water storage capacity of the Michigan Detention Facility. The motion to waive the three-reading rule passed. The motion to pass on first and final reading passed. Ordinance adopted.
- 26-54 – An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Service Safety Director and/or Fire Chief to enter into a grant-writing agreement and apply for a Fiscal Year 2026 Safer Grant to hire six full-time firefighters. The motion to pass on first reading only passed.
Ordinances for 2nd 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 pass on second reading only made. Council members Springs, Davis, James, and Palmer voted yes; Reser, Easton, and Lile voted no. The motion passed.
- 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. The motion to pass on second reading only passed.
Ordinances for 3rd Reading
- 26-45 – An ordinance approving, adopting, and enacting the 2026 Replacement Pages to the Codified Ordinances. The motion to adopt passed.
- 26-46 – An ordinance amending the pay rate for Bellefontaine City School District Seasonal School Resource Officer. The motion to adopt passed.
The next Bellefontaine City Council meeting will be Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 7:30 PM. The meeting is open to the public.
