Lima City Council passes multiple ordinances including Mental Health Recovery funding

The Lima City Council held its regular meeting on July 14, 2025, addressing several key agenda items, including financial reports, committee updates, and various ordinances.

The meeting commenced with Randy Bartel presenting the annual financial report, highlighting the contributions of Chief Deputy Auditor Nicole Hance, who has been with the city for over a year. Bartel explained that the city is required to file audited financial statements annually and introduced a new popular annual finance report aimed at making financial information more accessible to the public. This report, consisting of 11 pages, will be available on the city’s website.

Following the financial report, the council reviewed and approved minutes from previous committee meetings held on June 23, 2025. The council unanimously voted to receive, file, and approve these minutes.

The council then moved on to discuss several ordinances. The first was Ordinance 135-25, which authorizes the mayor to contract with Coleman Professional Services for the Lima Municipal Court. This ordinance passed its third reading with a vote of 7 in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstention.

Next, Ordinance 149-25, which allows the mayor to receive and administer funds from the Mental Health Recovery Services Board for pretrial services, passed its second reading with the same voting outcome.

Ordinance 163-25, amending the 2025 annual budget, and Ordinance 164-25, amending section 246.05 of the codified ordinances, both passed their first readings unanimously.

The council also addressed Ordinance 165-25, which authorizes a contract for the emergency removal of lime from the Twin Lakes Reservoir. This ordinance passed its first reading by an 8-0 vote.

Further, Ordinance 166-25, adopting the 2025 to 2029 Lima consolidated plan, and Ordinance 167-25, adopting the annual update to the consolidated plan, both passed their first readings unanimously.

Ordinance 168-25, which involves a second amendment to a contract with Brand Stettler Carroll Inc., and Ordinance 169-25, authorizing the mayor to apply for a conservation grant, also passed their first readings with unanimous support.

Finally, the council discussed Ordinance 170-25, which sought to authorize a contract for security cameras at the parking garage. Councilor Thompson moved to defeat this ordinance at the request of the administration, which plans to revisit the funding source. The motion to defeat passed unanimously.

In summary, the meeting covered significant financial reporting and multiple ordinances, with all items receiving strong support from council members, reflecting a collaborative effort to address the city's needs and enhance public services.