Garrettsville Village Council met for its regular monthly session on Wednesday, July 9, immediately following a scheduled public hearing on the 2026 tax budget. The hearing, required under Ohio Revised Code 5705.30, provided residents an opportunity to comment on Ordinance 2025-23, which approves and adopts the permanent operating budget for the Village of Garrettsville for fiscal year 2026. No members of the public offered comments during the hearing, which had been advertised more than ten days in advance. The ordinance was later adopted during the regular meeting as an emergency measure, following the suspension of council’s three-reading rule.
The 2026 budget anticipates general fund revenues of $1,720,350 and expenditures of $1,939,140, resulting in a projected deficit of $218,790. The estimated year-end unencumbered balance would fall to $801,841. Revenues include $1.25 million in municipal income taxes and $157,000 in property taxes. Expenditures include $739,044 in personal services for security and police, $280,000 in general government capital outlay, and $158,800 in safety-related contractual services. Councilwoman Deb Wordell asked Fiscal Officer Donna Love whether any language in the budget had changed at the county level. Love confirmed that the document was consistent with prior-year formats and requirements. The ordinance authorizes submission of the approved budget to the Portage County Auditor before the July 20 deadline.
Council also approved Ordinance 2025-22, establishing a formal sick leave donation program for village employees. The legislation adds a new subsection to Section 5.4 of the employee handbook, allowing employees who have exhausted all available leave—sick time, vacation, comp time, and so forth—to request donated sick leave hours from coworkers in the same department. Donating employees may contribute up to 24 hours per calendar year to a fellow employee, provided they retain a minimum balance of 40 hours themselves.
Eligible situations include serious illnesses or injuries, the birth of a child or complications related to childbirth, and similar circumstances affecting the employee or an immediate family member, defined in the ordinance as a spouse, child, or parent. Serious conditions are defined as “a serious accident, misfortune or mishap which comes by chance or without design,” including examples such as car accidents, broken limbs, heart disease, or cancer. Applications must be submitted in writing and approved by the department head and the mayor. Donated time not immediately used may remain on the recipient’s record for future sick leave. All information pertaining to the transfer—including medical documentation—is to remain confidential to the extent permitted. The ordinance passed unanimously and took effect immediately as an emergency.
Council then enacted Ordinance 2025-24, which amends Ordinance 2025-01 to increase the maximum compensation for the village’s full-time fiscal officer to $84,096.63, effective retroactively to May 22, 2025. That date marks the resignation of the assistant fiscal officer, a position that remains unfilled despite ongoing recruitment efforts. Since then, Donna Love has assumed full responsibility for the duties of both the fiscal officer and assistant fiscal officer. The ordinance authorizes a 15 percent salary increase in recognition of those additional responsibilities. Wordell offered brief support for the measure, saying the adjustment was “very well deserved.” The vote passed unanimously following suspension of the rules.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, representatives from the Garrettsville Baseball and Softball Associations spoke to council about facility needs and increasing youth participation. Chris Sanchez presented a prepared letter of thanks, noting that the village is “very lucky” to have strong community support for youth sports. He reported that over 140 players participated in the 2025 spring baseball season and proposed several facility improvements, including the addition of a storage building at Hardesty Park for maintenance equipment, chalk, and supplies. He asked that the village determine the most appropriate location for the structure. Sanchez also proposed repurposing one of the former tennis courts at South Street Park for an indoor baseball training facility. He also mentioned recurring drainage issues and deteriorating fencing—particularly at Field 3—as additional concerns.
Jeremy Lawless, representing the softball program, echoed Sanchez’s concerns and said that participation in softball rose to 134 players this season, up from 96 the year prior. He described erosion problems caused by water running off the tennis courts and pooling at Field 3, and raised the issue of unreliable restroom access at South Street Park, stating that the bathrooms are frequently locked and not consistently stocked with toilet paper or soap.
Councilman Tom Hardesty asked for more specifics on the drainage issue and said the French drains in that area may require attention. He explained that while the village is responsible for major infrastructure—such as restrooms and fencing—the athletic leagues are responsible for operational elements like equipment and field chalk. Some fencing, he noted, may be more than 20 years old. Hardesty said the village pays a contractor to clean and maintain the restrooms and would follow up to address the complaints. Love added that she had already spoken with Service Department Superintendent Randy Crites about re-installing gates at Hardesty Park to deter overnight vandalism. Councilman Richard Beatty said he would explore potential ADA-related grant funding for the proposed structure at Hardesty Park..
Another resident, Chad Harris, expressed concerns about stormwater runoff from the new AutoZone store on State Route 82. Harris, who resides adjacent to the site, said that water is washing into his yard due to the elevation of the storm sewer inlet, which he estimated to be two to three inches higher than the parking lot. Hardesty explained that the plaza catch basin drains toward the highway, Harris said the new paving allows water to bypass the inlet and flow downhill toward his property. Harris also raised a concern about the design of AutoZone’s dumpster enclosure, which includes a spillway that, he said directs water into his yard. Councilman Jeff Kaiser suggested that if AutoZone caused the problem, the company should be responsible for resolving it. Hardesty said he would investigate the site.
Police Chief Tim Christopher informed council that the department’s new Tahoe cruiser is expected to be delivered in the coming week. He also relayed a compliment from a couple who had visited the department the day before. The couple, who had been in the West Branch area and were traveling from Clyde, Ohio, told officers that they were “very impressed” with the appearance of Garrettsville’s downtown and the hanging flower baskets.
Hardesty reported that road paving will begin July 21. Remaining funds will be used for sidewalk repairs. He reminded council that residents who coordinate projects with the village are charged $12 per square foot, or refunded through a credit on their property taxes. He said that the village typically sends out letters to residents in the spring to invite participation in the program at households with identified issues. Hardesty cautioned that residents should not proceed with work independently, as variations in concrete quality and alignment can create inconsistencies between properties.
Chambers reported that tornado sirens are scheduled for re-quoting.
Patrick then addressed the invoice submitted by Summerfest organizers for portable toilets. He noted that the village traditionally reimburses up to $2,500 for restroom rentals. This year’s invoice, which totaled just under the cap, included charges for grease basins used by food vendors. Wordell questioned reimbursing costs associated with for-profit business activity. Council agreed that the village would no longer cover that portion of future invoices after this year. Patrick said he would notify festival organizer Aaron King of the change.
The discussion turned briefly to the condition of the Save-A-Lot parking lot. Patrick said he had reached out to Bob Linger, the store’s regional manager, who had previously indicated that the company would patch potholes. However, Patrick has since been informed that Save-A-Lot will not proceed with the repairs. Patrick recommended that the store delay its planned grand reopening until the parking lot is addressed.
Council also discussed recent vandalism at village parks. A portable toilet at Hardesty Park was destroyed, resulting in a $2,100 invoice for replacement. Love reiterated her earlier conversation with Crites about restoring gates to limit nighttime access.
In closing, Beatty noted that the 2025–2026 financial outlook includes conservative revenue estimates and aggressive spending. He expressed concern about the potential deficit and suggested forming a budget committee to meet quarterly. He proposed holding the meetings at 6:00 p.m. before council meetings.
Kaiser asked whether crack sealing could be added to this year’s road maintenance plans to help extend the life of local roads. Hardesty said that Liberty Street and Maple Avenue were suitable candidates and that he would consider the work if revenues improved later in the year.
The meeting adjourned following roundtable discussion.
