Kent City Council Approves Capital Improvement Plan, Housing Update, and License Plate Camera Use

KENT, OH — A flurry of decisions was made this week as the Kent City Council met to approve a variety of projects and ordinances aimed at shaping the city’s future, from infrastructure improvements to increased public safety measures.

Council Approves 2026 Capital Plan

One of the biggest approvals of the night was the city’s 2026 Capital Improvement Plan, a detailed look at funding and priorities for the city’s upcoming infrastructure projects. The document includes necessary updates to the city’s water and sewer systems, road repairs, stormwater management, and a push to add parks and recreation items into future budgets.

Jim Bowling, Kent’s City Engineer, highlighted the cost-effective use of grant funding and partnerships. Projects like the East Main Street overhaul are being funded almost entirely by outside sources, representing more than $18 million in non-city money. Council members applauded the long-term, strategic vision in the plan. Council Member Heidi Shaffer Bish called it “a work of art.”

Housing Study and New Homebuyer Incentives

Planning staff also shared updates on residential development, pointing to over 650 new units under construction in and around Kent. City leaders acknowledged, however, that traditional single-family home development is limited due to lack of available land within the city. To address this, the city intends to update its 2016 Housing Study and launch a homebuyer assistance program in 2026 to encourage ownership in established neighborhoods.

Ordinance Update on Repeat Street Parking Violations

In response to ongoing street congestion issues, particularly in areas where residents are abusing on-street parking allowances, the council voted to implement escalating fines. Residents receiving three or more violations in a three-month period for exceeding the allowed number of parked vehicles per household will now see fines spike from $15 to $100. Officials say the change supports fairness for all residents.

Flock Safety Cameras Get the Green Light

After months of debate and community input, the council narrowly voted to allow the Kent Police Department to implement the use of license plate readers from Flock Safety. The technology will not be used for live surveillance, only still images of vehicle license plates. Supporters cited its benefits in solving crimes and recovering stolen vehicles. Opponents voiced privacy concerns and objected to broader surveillance trends. A policy on data sharing will be reviewed by the council as part of the program’s rollout.

Council Revises Fire Department Residency Rules

To help recruit and retain firefighters, the council expanded the allowed residency zone for Kent Fire Department employees to counties neighboring the current district. Chief Jamie Samels flagged that tighter rules have already caused the department to lose experienced staff and deter potential new hires.

Finally, council approved a $3,000 emergency grant for Kent Social Services to help with increased food demand and passed the annual vehicle auction list for old city equipment.

The council is expected to reconvene next month with updates on implementation timelines and continued work on strategic planning as new members join in January.