Garrettsville Village Council met April 8 at Village Hall to consider legislation involving water system improvements, water rate adjustments and other village business.
All council members were present for the 7 p.m. meeting, including John Brachna, Tom Hardesty, Fredric Ahrens, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty and Jeff Kaiser. Also attending were Mayor Rick Patrick, Solicitor Bill Mason and Fiscal Officer Donna Love.
Council approved minutes from the March 11 meeting and reviewed March financial reports and income tax receipts. Brachna noted that income tax collections are up about 10% compared with the same period last year. Council also approved payment of bills and wages.
Council held the first reading of Ordinance 2026-10, which would authorize the mayor to enter into a master service agreement with Arcadis U.S. Inc. for engineering services related to the village water system.
The agreement includes work by Arcadis to prepare engineering drawings for a water tank mixing system and continue assisting the village with infrastructure planning and evaluation. Arcadis currently serves as the village’s engineering consultant for water utility operations.
A tank mixing system circulates water inside elevated storage tanks to prevent stagnation and temperature layering while improving water quality and chlorine residual levels.
Council also reviewed Ordinance 2026-11, which would amend the codified ordinances related to water rates.
The proposal would increase scheduled annual rate adjustments from 2% to 5% beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and continuing for four years before returning to 2% annual increases. The change would amount to an increase of less than $2 per month for the average water customer.
The recommendation originated from the Board of Trustees of Public Affairs following consultation with Arcadis, which evaluated the village’s water utility and determined the current 2% annual increases would be insufficient to maintain necessary revenue and carryover balances. According to the evaluation, maintaining the 2% rate would result in operating expenses exceeding revenue by 2029 and putting additional strain on the water department’s carryover balance, which is maintained for major unplanned emergency expenses.
Council held the first reading of Resolution 2026-12 authorizing participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s annual road salt purchasing program.
The resolution allows the village to buy road salt through the state contract for winter maintenance, which officials said may result in lower costs than purchasing outside the program. Beatty made a motion to suspend the rules and then moved to enact the resolution.
Council introduced Ordinance 2026-13 amending the 2026 annual appropriations ordinance.
The amendment would increase the general fund capital outlay line item from $220,000 to $255,000, a difference of $35,000. Officials said the additional funds would be used for road paving.
During public participation, Police Chief Tim Christopher thanked council and the community for supporting the Shop With a Hero pancake breakfast, calling the event successful.
Christopher also informed council that the village’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will reach its five-year mark in June. Under state requirements, the DORA rules must be reviewed every five years to remain compliant. Mason said he will review the requirements and prepare any necessary legislation.
Patrick said the village has not experienced major issues with the program and noted that Kent has expanded its DORA while Mantua is considering creating one.
During roundtable discussion, Brachna reported attending training that recommended emergency legislation be used sparingly. He also discussed potential benefits of creating Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDs). Brachna said he plans to contact neighboring township officials to determine whether any commercial or industrial developments are being considered. Entering into a JED agreement with the village would allow the village and the township to split income tax from the commercial/industrial ventures, in exchange for the village providing a service (water, sewer, or road construction/maintenance).
Brachna also raised concerns about safety at the intersection at Water Street, Center Street, and Main Street. An Ohio Department of Transportation representative indicated the village could convert the intersection to a four-way stop. Christopher said he would review visibility concerns for drivers approaching the bridge on Route 82. Mayor Patrick asked Christopher to think about it for discussion at the May meeting.
Council also revisited previously tabled salary survey legislation. Brachna moved to un-table the legislation 2026-03 and amend the the ordinance to have an effective date of April 5, the start of the current pay period. Hardesty seconded the motion. All council members except Beatty voted to un-table the legislation.
Council then voted on an amendment to set the effective date for the legislation. Hardesty, Brachna and Johnson voted in favor, while Ahrens, Kaiser and Beatty opposed the change. Mayor Rick Patrick cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the amendment. A subsequent motion to suspend the rules, which would have allowed the measure to be enacted on second reading, failed. The legislation will proceed to a third reading at the May council meeting.
Hardesty reported that drainage work on Main Street is complete and will remain as currently configured until ODOT repaves State Route 82 this summer. He said the Board of Public Affairs took advantage of the project to inspect water connections for lead service lines.
Ahrens said progress continues toward installing a traffic signal near the school, with ODOT conducting a traffic study.
Patrick praised Hardesty and the street department for installing a new storm drain on Main Street. He also reported receiving roofing estimates for Village Hall ranging from about $16,500 for standard shingles to $34,800 for a standing seam metal roof, with metal shingles estimated at $31,900. The village is also seeking estimates for bullet-resistant windows at the police station.
Patrick announced the village’s spring cleanup is scheduled for May 21.
Beatty shared positive feedback received by Community EMS from Hiram Township and the Village of Hiram and also commended the street department for storm cleanup efforts.
Johnson later moved to adjourn the meeting.
