Medina — The Medina City Council at its final 2025 meeting approved a package of budget and procurement measures, unanimously passing the 2026 appropriations ordinance and a five-year budget and authorizing several purchases and airport-related actions.

The council adopted Ordinance 21825 to make appropriations for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026, and Resolution 21925 to approve the city’s five-year budget for 2026–2030. Finance Director Mister Durham said the budget was updated with current health-care numbers and estimated that, after removing double-counting, the city spends about $45,000,000 annually.

Council also approved several procurement ordinances: Ordinance 21025 authorizes the purchase of four 2026 Ford Interceptors from Montrose Ford with upfitting by Hall Public Safety and a trade-in allowance totaling $18,500; Ordinance 21125 authorizes purchase of a 2027 Freightliner plow truck for the street department (delivery expected 2027); and Ordinance 21225 authorizes a 2026 Freightliner rear-loader garbage truck from Best Equipment for sanitation. All items passed on roll-call votes 7–0.

On airport matters, Council passed Resolution 20825 authorizing a grant application to the State of Ohio Airport Improvement Program for a new hangar at Medina Municipal Airport; staff said the city may request up to $750,000 with a 10% local match. Council also adopted Ordinance 20925 to create an unpaid airport manager position with a four-year term to serve as the municipality’s point person for FAA coordination.

Other measures approved included Ordinance 21525 authorizing purchase orders to World Fuel Services/Accent Aviation Group for Jet A fuel (Finance Director Durham described this as an annual PO estimate because actual fuel costs vary), Ordinance 21625 authorizing up to $130,000 to the Medina County Treasurer for courthouse lease payments related to the municipal court move, and Ordinance 21725 to pay Software Solutions Inc. for annual support of the city’s VIP accounting system. Council adopted Ordinance 22025 to amend the 2025 budget to make required year-end adjustments.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 20825 (airport grant application): Passed, 7–0. Authorized grant application up to $750,000 with 10% local match.
- Ordinance 20925 (airport manager position): Passed, 7–0. Creates unpaid, four-year airport manager role.
- Ordinance 21025 (police vehicles — four Ford Interceptors): Passed, 7–0. Trade-ins total $18,500.
- Ordinance 21125 (2027 Freightliner plow truck): Passed, 7–0. Replaces a 2002 truck; delivery in 2027.
- Ordinance 21225 (2026 rear-loader garbage truck): Passed, 7–0. Procured via state bid.
- Ordinance 21325 (easement for street project, emergency clause): Passed, 7–0. Emergency clause added to allow immediate filing because owners signed.
- Ordinance 21425 (MOU acceptance for 721 South Court St.): Passed, 7–0. County-prepared MOU permits fence over sanitary sewer with restrictions.
- Ordinance 21525 (Jet A fuel PO): Passed, 7–0. Annual PO estimate; emergency clause adopted to allow refill in January if needed.
- Ordinance 21625 (courthouse lease payment up to $130,000): Passed, 7–0.
- Ordinance 21725 (SSI annual support): Passed, 7–0.
- Ordinance 21825 (2026 appropriations): Passed, 7–0. Finance Director estimated roughly $45,000,000 in annual spending after adjustments.
- Resolution 21925 (five-year budget 2026–2030): Passed, 7–0.
- Ordinance 22025 (2025 budget amendments): Passed, 7–0.

Council president made the request to suspend the three-reading rule for the night’s ordinances; Councilman Jim Shields moved the suspension and the roll-call motion passed 7–0, after which each ordinance and resolution was considered and adopted by normal roll-call votes. The council adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Funding and next steps: Several items (airport grant and Jet A PO) include follow-up procurement steps or matching requirements; staff will return for additional approvals if pricing or contract language changes.