Councilwoman Hager recognized for years of service
Incumbent members of the Bellefontaine City Council and administration were sworn-in Tuesday, alongside a new member of council, ahead of a regular meeting that also recognized outgoing councilwoman Diane Hager after more than a decade of service.
Hager served on council for 14 years, representing the city’s second ward. As a member of council’s rules committee, she was integral in passing legislation to keep medicinal marijuana dispensaries out of the city limits.
Hager was presented by council with a plaque and bouquet of flowers in recognition of her service to the city. Fellow members of council lauded her preparation and dedication to her work in service to her constituents and the city as a whole.
Jordan Reser assumes her seat. He was sworn-in Tuesday ahead of the regular session along with returning council members Allen Hadley, Zeb Wagner, Kyle Springs, Mick Lile, Richard Kurtz, Deb Baker and Peter DeSomma.
City administrators Ben Stahler, mayor; Josh Stolly, law director; and Fred Brentlinger, treasurer, also were sworn-in Tuesday.
The oath was administered by Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin Braig. It’s appropriate that the county common pleas court judge conducts the swearing in of elected officials in the largest municipality in the county, council president Zeb Wagner remarked.
Vincent Wulf was also sworn-in during Tuesday’s meeting as a full-time firefighter for the Bellefontaine Fire and EMS Department. Recently, Wulf volunteered for the Tri-Valley Fire and EMS Department, and has also trained as a paramedic.
As for action taken during the meeting, council cleared out its legislative agenda for the remainder of the year, as Tuesday marked the final scheduled meeting of 2019.
Action taken during Tuesday’s meeting included final approval of temporary appropriations for 2020, allocating about $9 million to the city’s General Fund.
An ordinance was also passed to authorize the service-safety director to begin accepting credit card payments for services, effective in January. A 4 percent fee will apply to all credit card payments.
Council is modifying late fees charged to delinquent residential utility accounts. A $25 fee is charged to accounts that are 45 days late.
Also, a $50 re-connection fee applies to late accounts that are turned back on during normal business hours. After hours, that re-connection fee is $100.
A salary and raise ordinance was authorized that affords previously-negotiated 2.5 per cent pay increases to service and clerical workers.
The next regular meeting is 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14.