2026 Budget, 2025 Amendments, and Fiscal Staff Promotions Lead Walton Hills Agenda

WALTON HILLS, Ohio – At the Dec. 16 regular Walton Hills council meeting, Mayor Don Kolograf and council members moved through a budget‑heavy agenda that set permanent appropriations for 2026, amended the 2025 budget, and supported key personnel changes in the fiscal office and service department.

2026 Permanent Appropriations Ordinance Adopted

After opening the Walton Hills council meeting with a call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and moment of silence, council entered into executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G) to discuss:

• Employee compensation
• Retire/rehire of a service employee
• Employee promotions

Once they reconvened in open session at about 7:36 p.m., council turned to Ordinance 2025‑17, the village’s 2026 permanent appropriations measure.

The ordinance:

• Sets permanent appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2026.
• Was introduced for suspension of the rules and then adopted as an emergency, ensuring appropriations are in place at the start of the new year.

During discussion, council members thanked Mayor Kolograf and staff — including Fiscal Officer Nickol Sell and Finance Clerk Melissa Sangrik — for preparing what one member described as a comprehensive budget that balances:

• Employee compensation
• Capital projects
• Equipment and vehicle needs in several departments

Council members also emphasized that some 2026 projects are possible because of prior council actions that created special funding “buckets” and long‑term revenue streams, such as tax increment financing and agreements that now support infrastructure work like the Northfield Road sidewalk project.

2025 Budget Adjusted With Additional Appropriations

Council next took up Ordinance 2025‑18, amending the village’s 2025 budget to make additional appropriations for current‑year expenditures.

Highlights of the discussion included:

• Service department salaries: Increases were incorporated to reflect staffing and compensation needs.
• Insurance costs: Line items were adjusted to recognize higher insurance expenses and related proceeds.
• County tax collection fees: Council briefly discussed the fees paid to the county for collecting village taxes, with a light‑hearted observation about being charged in order to receive the village’s own money.

Questions were raised about the 2025 project sheet and approximately $35,800 in outstanding reimbursements. Staff explained that reimbursements had been properly submitted and are still expected to arrive, even if they had not yet hit the village’s accounts by the date of the meeting.

Council voted to:

• Suspend the rules on Ordinance 2025‑18, and
• Adopt it as an emergency, keeping the 2025 budget in line with year‑end realities.

Council Supports Retire/Rehire for Service Employee Dan Chatal

In line with the personnel discussion held in executive session, council approved a motion:

Authorizing the mayor to negotiate terms for the retire/rehire of service employee Dan Chatal, subject to council approval pursuant to Resolution No. 2025‑37.

The motion reflects council’s support for retaining Chatal’s experience and institutional knowledge while following the formal retire‑rehire process.

Fiscal Officer Compensation and Promotion of Finance Clerk Approved

Council then considered compensation and organizational changes in the village’s fiscal office, which is led by Fiscal Officer Nickol Sell with Finance Clerk Melissa Sangrik.

By motion, council expressed support for:

• Increasing the compensation of the fiscal officer, and
• Promoting the fiscal clerk to Assistant Fiscal Officer/Mayor’s Assistant

The action was taken pursuant to Codified Ordinance 260.18.

Several council members used the moment to publicly praise Sell and Sangrik for:

• Staying on top of complex reimbursements,
• Cleaning up and organizing financial records, and
• Working effectively as a team despite inheriting challenging circumstances.

One member noted that Walton Hills is “blessed” with strong staff across departments, and others echoed appreciation for the work being done behind the scenes.

Information Committee Targets Village Directory and Website Improvements

Council Member Brian Spitznagel, who chairs the Information Committee, reported on a committee meeting held just before the regular session.

Items under discussion included:

• Village directory update

  • Coordinating with Administrative Specialist Mary Dolansky and staff on the resident database.
  • Contacting local businesses about advertising opportunities in the directory.
  • Working with PostNet on updated printing and mailing costs, which have risen slightly.

• Insert in the Owl

  • The committee favors using a page insert in the Walton Hills Owl rather than adding pages, making it more noticeable to residents.
  • The insert will likely invite residents to:
    • Report the names of deceased family members so they can be removed, and
    • Update entries for anyone who no longer lives in the village.

• Website usability

  • The committee discussed improving search and navigation on the village website, aiming to make it easier for residents to find information.

• Civic group updates

  • New information from local civic organizations will be incorporated into the updated directory and other materials.

Santa Delivery Event and Holiday Wishes Close Out the Year

Council also recapped the village’s annual Santa Delivery program.

Council members thanked staff in the Recreation Department, including Recreation Director Natalie Buc and Assistant Recreation Director Rhonee Iula, along with volunteers and Service Department personnel, for making the event a success despite less‑than‑ideal afternoon weather.

Santa “was spectacular,” one member said, even if he moved “a little slower this year.” Staff kept the event on track and received praise for their hard work.

As the meeting drew to a close, Mayor Kolograf:

• Wished residents a Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
• Expressed optimism that the village is “moving in the right direction,” and
• Alluded to ongoing building and development activity and potential upcoming meetings with developers or partners.

Council then voted to adjourn the regular council meeting.