Bellefontaine City Council passed the city’s projected expenditures for 2026 – a budget totaling $47,362,155 – with a unanimous vote at its regular meeting Tuesday, March 24.
The eight-figure number represents expenditures including $7,055,000 for the new municipal pool, approximately $8,200,000 for the water and wastewater departments $9,000,000 for the fire and police protection, and just over $1,000,000 for the Main Street and South TIFs. These appropriations are in addition to costs incurred by the city for day-to-day operations ranging from the Municipal Court to the Street Department.
The council also passed a resolution authorizing Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds and/or Fire Chief Brian Wilson to apply for and accept a $5,000 grant award from Walmart.
Up for a first reading before council Tuesday were two measures, the first being an ordinance granting to Vectren Energy a gas franchise in the city for a period of 25 years, a contract that will automatically renew for additional periods of five years.
The second ordinance that made its first appearance Tuesday is a measure that asks the city to vacate a 0.173 acre tract of a north-south public alley at the request of VFW Post 1080, 216 Orchard Ave. The alley is currently owned by the Logan County Metropolitan Housing Authority and bisects the north side of the 600 block between Detroit and Henry streets.
Both ordinances passed on their first readings by unanimous votes.
Another ordinance was up for a second reading Tuesday – an application for the city to annex a 2.494 acre tract of land located in Jefferson Township on the east side of Township Road 179, across the road from the Maris Park project and owned by Gary L. Alexander.
The measure will establish the zoning classification of the property as R-1 (One Family Residence District) and passed without a dissenting vote. The final vote on the annexation ordinance is slated for the next council meeting.
The Bellefontaine City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.
