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TWINSBURG, Ohio – Twinsburg City Council closed out 2025 with a full agenda on December 9, unanimously approving the 2026 budget, adopting a new cybersecurity policy, and rejecting a proposed clothing allowance and lifetime fitness perk for elected officials. The meeting also featured updates on infrastructure projects, regional legal services, and emotional year-end remarks from council members and the mayor.
2026 Budget Approved
Council voted 7–0 to approve Ordinance 115-2025, the city’s permanent appropriation ordinance for 2026. The measure sets spending for ordinary and necessary expenses through December 31, 2026.
Council President Greg Bellan noted the overall city budget is now about $80 million, with a significant increase tied to long-planned wastewater treatment plant upgrades, estimated at around $17 million. He said council and administration went through the budget “line by line” over several months and described it as “tight” but sound for Twinsburg.
Finance Director Christina Conway and the rest of the administration were publicly thanked for the extensive work behind the budget.
Citywide Cybersecurity Policy Adopted
Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 116-2025, creating a formal cybersecurity policy for the City of Twinsburg. The legislation was passed as an emergency measure, signaling the city’s intent to promptly implement modern protections for its digital systems and data.
Wage Increase for Non‑Bargaining Employees
By a 7–0 vote, council approved Ordinance 117-2025, affirming the annual wage increase for full‑time and permanent part‑time non‑bargaining employees, effective January 1, 2026.
Council members explained the measure is designed to mirror the raises negotiated by the city’s union employees, ensuring non‑union staff are treated equitably.
Clothing Allowance and Lifetime Fitness Perk Rejected
The most controversial item of the evening, Ordinance 118-2025, proposed amending Chapter 111 to:
- Give council members an annual clothing allowance, and
- Allow council to grant outgoing elected officials a lifetime individual fitness center membership and/or permit them to keep their city‑issued electronic device.
Councilmembers moved to adopt the ordinance but then voted it down 0–7. The measure failed without support from any member, and clarifications were made that it was not being treated as an emergency item.
Waterford Pond Dredging To Move Ahead
Council passed Ordinance 120-2025 as an emergency, accepting the bid of AMS Landscaping, LLC for Waterford Pond dredging – Phase 1.
The project is part of the broader Timothy Lane flood plan. The dredging work, at a cost of $359,000, is planned for the winter so crews can work with minimal disruption to Waterford residents and nearby golf course users.
Liberty Road Culvert Extension Approved
In another infrastructure move, council suspended the three‑reading rule and approved Ordinance 122-2025 as an emergency, accepting the bid of Fioritto Construction LLC for the Liberty Road Culvert Extension Project.
Suspension of the rules allows contracts to be finalized before year‑end so construction can begin as early as possible in 2026.
Health Board Reappointment
Council unanimously supported Resolution 121-2025, confirming the reappointment of Sheila Williams as Twinsburg’s representative to the Summit County Combined General Health District Board of Health for a four‑year term beginning January 1, 2026.
Multiple council members praised Williams’ long service, reliability, and strong representation of Twinsburg, calling her “a jewel” of the city.
Prosecutorial Services With Stow
Through Resolution 123-2025, council authorized the mayor to enter into a one‑year agreement with the City of Stow, under which the Stow Law Department will provide prosecutorial services for Twinsburg cases at Stow Municipal Court.
The agreement cost is $55,000 per year, which council members said is roughly in line with what the city had been paying for its own prosecutor. Members cited the arrangement as a good example of regional cooperation and a cost‑effective approach.
Uniform and Floor Mat Contract
Council suspended the three‑reading rule and unanimously passed Resolution 124-2025 as an emergency, accepting the bid of UniFirst for uniform and floor mat rental services. Officials noted the timing was needed to have a new contract in place before the current agreement expires.
Year‑End Appropriation Adjustments
To close out the fiscal year, council approved Ordinance 125-2025 as an emergency after suspending the three‑reading rule. The ordinance amends 2025 appropriations initially set in Ordinance 120-2024, allowing the city to make necessary adjustments to various funds before December 31.
Data Center Application Withdrawn
During unfinished business, it was noted that the application tied to Ordinance 86-2025, involving data center regulations, was withdrawn earlier in the day. As a result, there will be no further action on that application at either the Planning Commission or Council level. The withdrawal will be reflected in the permanent record of council.
JEDI Committee Plans for 2026
Councilmember Daisy Walker reported on a special Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee meeting attended by herself and Councilmember Karen Labbe.
Highlights of upcoming plans include:
- Partnering with Twinsburg City Schools and Superintendent Steve Marlow to involve students and support school‑based initiatives.
- Coordinating with Parks and Recreation on a “Stuff the Bus” effort, with staff already on board.
- Working with the Twinsburg Historical Society, with a visit planned for February 19 that will include dancing and booths.
- Hosting Black History Month events in February and planning a Women’s Month observance likely in March.
- Engaging the Twinsburg Public Library and Twinsburg Township to broaden community participation and include township diversity representatives.
- Reaching out to additional community leaders, including Pastor Sam Alonzo, with the mayor’s help.
Labbe added that the next JEDI meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in council chambers, with much of the focus on Black History Month events.
Committee and Board Updates
- CIC / Downtown Beautification: Councilman Bill Furey announced a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) meeting set for Thursday, December 11, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the downtown beautification grant program.
- Architectural Review Board: Councilman Chuck Bonacci reported on an ARB case for a new Pearle Vision sign on Darrow Road, reflecting the company’s updated logo. The case was approved unanimously. He also noted that, with no new items on the agenda, the next ARB meeting may not be held until January 15.
- Holiday Lights: Bonacci and others highlighted residential holiday light displays, including an elaborate setup in Ward 1 featuring a 17‑foot, 4,500‑light snowflake and about 30,000 lights synchronized to music.
New Business Spotlight: New Childcare Center
Mayor Sam Scaffide shared that the city recently held a ribbon cutting for the new Kiddie Academy location near Brewster’s. He praised the investment in Twinsburg and said it is especially rewarding to see projects from groundbreaking through completion.
Audit Status and Finance Note
Finance Director Christina Conway reported that the city’s financial audit is currently in “desk review” with the Ohio Auditor of State. She explained the timing is later than usual, but that it is due to a backlog at the state level, not any issue with Twinsburg’s filings. The city’s audit firm has numerous audits pending, and Twinsburg is expected to be among the first released, either by year‑end or early January.
Later, Conway gently reminded residents and staff that while many are “winding down” for the holidays, year‑end is the busiest time for the finance team.
Legal Costs and Police Litigation
During closing comments, Councilman Furey responded to a caucus comment from a resident about “millions” allegedly spent on police‑related litigation.
He clarified that last year the city budgeted $100,000 for professional services in the law department and increased that line to about $400,000 this year. That total, he said, covers all outside legal work citywide—including contracts, TIF issues, and other matters—not just litigation over former police officers. He reiterated his support for the police department, said he believes council made the right decision in those cases, and expressed confidence the matter would be resolved.
Personal and Holiday Reflections
Councilmembers used the final portion of the meeting to share personal reflections and holiday wishes:
- David Post thanked colleagues and staff for a successful year and wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday season, encouraging residents to slow down and spend time with family.
- Chuck Bonacci acknowledged that the holidays can be challenging for many residents and offered thoughts and hopes for peace and comfort in the new year.
- Bill Furey shared family news, announcing that his son Michael recently became engaged. He joked about referring to his son as “the prince” and said the family is excited to welcome a new daughter‑in‑law.
- Law Director Matthew Vazzana and Finance Director Conway each wished residents happy holidays and looked ahead to working with everyone again in 2026.
- Clerk of Council Shannon Collins reminded the public that there is an open seat on the Architectural Review Board (ARB), with applications due by 4:30 p.m. on January 8, 2026, and confirmed that council’s first meeting of 2026 will be held on January 13.
Messages of Peace and Family
Several council members offered more personal, emotional remarks:
- Councilmember Karen Labbe quoted from the Bing Crosby–David Bowie version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” reflecting on the recurring refrain “Peace on earth, can it be” and expressing disappointment that, decades later, she feels there is less peace and more quick judgment among neighbors. She emphasized that council members are “men and women of goodwill” and closed with a hope that her childhood prayer for peace will one day be realized.
- Councilmember Daisy Walker spoke candidly about the loss of family members and how holidays can be painful when long‑standing family circles grow smaller. She recalled her mother’s final instructions to “take care of my babies” and described the deep bond she now shares with her younger siblings, whom she still refers to as “big babies.” Walker thanked the mayor, law director, clerk, finance director, and her fellow council members and asked residents to “pray my strength in the Lord” as she continues serving the community.
- Councilmember Shaun Castillo, in his first year on council, thanked colleagues and staff for helping him navigate multiple back‑to‑back meetings and the learning curve of new responsibilities. He wished everyone a merry Christmas and reminded residents about the upcoming “Light the Night” Hanukkah celebration at the community center on Tuesday, December 16, emphasizing it is open to the public.
Mayor Scaffide closed by reflecting on his own family milestones. He began 2025 with three children, then gained three sons‑ and daughters‑in‑law as all of his children married over the past year. He announced that he will become a grandfather for the first time in 2026 and joked that three weddings in one year had left him “broke,” but grateful. He praised council as a cohesive group that works well together and said he expects 2026 to be a strong year for Twinsburg.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.