Garrettsville Village Council met Feb. 11 with Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Frederic Ahrens, Sheri Johnson, John Brachna, Richard Beatty and Jeff Kaiser present. Also attending were Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Donna Love and Solicitor Bill Mason.
Council approved the minutes of the Jan. 14 meeting and accepted payment of expenditures.
Council reviewed January fiscal reports and income tax receipts. As of Jan. 31, 2026, the village had collected $329,943 of its $3.85 million annual revenue budget, or 8.57%, and expended $445,373, or 10.26% of its $4.21 million in appropriations. Total cash and pooled balances across all funds stood at $5.23 million, with the General Fund and Sewer Operating Fund comprising the largest shares.
January income tax collections totaled $133,582, exceeding receipts from the same month last year. Councilman Richard Beatty said collections “started off good” and “made up for December.” Council President Tom Hardesty described revenues as “stable.”
Council reviewed Ordinance 2026-01, which would amend the employee handbook to address service credit for lateral police hires. Mason noted that revisions were not included in the meeting packet. The ordinance will advance to a third reading before council takes action.
Discussion continued on Ordinance 2026-03, which would update compensation ranges for village employees and employees of the Board of Trustees of Public Affairs and declare the measure an emergency. The ordinance reflects Ohio’s increase in the state minimum wage to $11 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2026, and adjusts established pay ranges. Salary bands are outlined for police, street, cemetery and park personnel; water and wastewater staff; and other municipal positions, including the fiscal officer, zoning inspector and income tax administrator. Merit increases within approved ranges would require department recommendation and written approval. Adjustments outside established ranges would require council approval.
Nearly 25 minutes of discussion centered on the village’s carryover balance and how much could be used for payroll increases. Beatty said that while the village maintains balances across multiple funds, only about $84,000 of General Fund carryover would be available for across-the-board raises. He cautioned against characterizing total carryover balances as fully available for payroll, noting that many funds are restricted under state law.
Hardesty said the village routinely transfers money between funds as permitted to address departmental needs and that the budget is set conservatively with flexibility to adjust line items. Love confirmed that transfers may be made where allowed, though certain dedicated funds cannot be used for payroll unless properly transferred.
Council reviewed a 2025 salary survey summary, prepared by Beatty, using a subset of the salary and wage data compiled from a larger survey of 29 villages. Beatty’s summary focused on municipalities with populations between 2,087 and 3,500. The summary excluded part-time wages and removed the highest and lowest salaries to limit outliers. According to Beatty’s summary, Garrettsville’s base wages exceed adjusted peer averages in each listed full-time position, with differences ranging from about 4% for water operator to nearly 20% for fiscal officer, street assistant and water laborer.
Hardesty questioned whether the full survey fully reflected comparable duties, describing portions of the spreadsheet as “spotty” and noting that Garrettsville performs much of its street and equipment maintenance work in-house, while some peer communities outsource those functions. Beatty said the survey reflects base salary only, is completed by fiscal departments and is used by counties to set salary ranges, calling it the most accurate tool available to evaluate market value.
Beatty said village revenues declined from approximately $4.32 million in 2024 to $4.019 million in 2025, while expenses increased to roughly $4.015 million, narrowing the operating margin. He cited uncertainty surrounding potential property tax changes and second-half collection adjustments. Kaiser said waiting until midyear would provide greater clarity. Johnson suggested revisiting the matter in May or June with a possible July 1 effective date.
Beatty said having funds available is separate from determining their best use, citing competing priorities such as road paving and park improvements. Johnson moved to table the ordinance until June. The motion passed, with Hardesty casting the lone dissenting vote.
Council approved a request from the Portage County District Library for reimbursement of a portion of 2025 utility costs at the Garrettsville branch. In a Jan. 16 letter, PCDL Fiscal Officer Kristin Fabian stated that the branch occupies about 58% of the shared building and that the village has historically contributed toward utilities. Total 2025 electric charges were $9,713.46 and gas charges were $1,923.05. The library requested reimbursement of 50% of the combined costs, totaling $5,818.26. Council approved the request.
Council reviewed a proposal from the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club, in partnership with the library, to install approximately 25 “StoryWalk” display stations along the Tom Collins Trail near the library. Patrick said the Planning Commission approved the project. The display units would feature angled aluminum frames mounted on 4-by-4 posts, with dual acrylic panels and removable bottom rails to allow page changes. Rotary representatives said the club would cover the estimated $8,000 cost plus labor and seek volunteers for installation. Similar installations exist in Streetsboro and Kent. Council expressed support.
Council also reviewed materials regarding a proposal to join the Regional Income Tax Agency through participation in the Regional Council of Governments. In a Feb. 4 email, RITA Government Liaison Claudiu Cioates explained that each member municipality appoints one representative with equal voting authority. RITA administers income taxes for more than 400 municipalities and joint economic development districts across 83 Ohio counties.
A cost estimate projects annual collection fees between $27,539 and $30,437, or about 1.62% to 1.79% of collections. Love reported that the village currently spends about $72,600 annually administering income taxes in-house, including wages, programming and related costs. Brachna said the village could potentially save up to $40,000 based on the estimate.
Hardesty said in-house costs equate to about 2.2% of roughly $1.7 million in annual collections. He questioned whether RITA’s percentage would remain stable and expressed concern about losing staff support functions. Love said she opposes joining RITA and questioned whether the agency would provide comparable service in identifying new residents and pursuing delinquent accounts. She noted that RITA may charge additional fees for certain services.
Ahrens said that while he does not favor RITA as a taxpayer, the agency may offer stronger enforcement capabilities. Beatty said most Portage County municipalities, except Garrettsville and Sugar Bush Knolls, participate in RITA. He suggested reviewing delinquency data and said implementation, if approved, likely would not occur until 2027.
Several council members acknowledged that residents value handling tax matters locally. Patrick recalled prior public opposition. Council took no action.
Patrick informed council that the village has been awarded a $5,885 2026 Energized Community grant from NOPEC. To receive the funds, the village must complete its community profile by June 30, 2026. Combined with prior balances, approximately $15,660 is available for energy-related projects.
Patrick suggested installing additional street lighting in underlit areas. Hardesty identified the back half of Garfield Drive and Northgate as potential locations. Patrick said Ohio Edison plans to convert village streetlights to LED fixtures and is reviewing rate structures that could affect costs. Police Chief Tim Christopher asked whether police station windows could be updated through the grant. Council will continue reviewing options.
Brachna reported on an upcoming Headwaters Trail meeting and said he may be unable to attend. Patrick said he may represent the village. Brachna also noted that the Ohio Department of Transportation awarded funding for crossing lights at state Routes 82 and 88 near IGA and Save-4-Store.
Hardesty requested authorization to bid 2026 street resurfacing projects, including the Bill Phelps Village Park entrance drive, a segment of Clover Lane, Liberty Street from Eagle Creek Drive to the bridge, Maple Avenue from Park Drive to Water Street, South Park and Meadow Run. The plan would be capped at $250,000. The 2026 budget includes $225,000 for street work; an additional $25,000 appropriation would be required. Ahrens moved to authorize bidding, Brachna seconded, and council approved.
Patrick commended the street department for its winter performance, saying the crew has done “a hell of a job.” He said Superintendent Randy Crites communicates effectively with council and residents. The village received two additional loads of road salt after supplies ran low.
Beatty wished Brachna and Ahrens well at upcoming training and thanked Crites for assisting with tornado warning siren installation. Johnson also thanked the road crew.
Council adjourned following roundtable remarks.
