Ravenna Special Year-End Council Meeting: Dispatch Contracts, 2026 Budget, Income Tax Distribution

RAVENNA, Ohio – Ravenna City Council closed out the year with a special year-end council meeting on Dec. 29, 2025, moving quickly through a slate of financial housekeeping items and approving dispatch contracts, the city’s 2026 temporary budget and the distribution of 2026 income tax receipts. The Ravenna special year-end council meeting also included a farewell resolution honoring outgoing at-large Council Member Cheryl Wood.

Council Renews Dispatch Contracts with Charlestown and Edinburg

Council first considered Ordinance 2025-133, authorizing the mayor to enter into contracts with Charlestown Township and Edinburg Township for police dispatching services.

• The contracts cover the period Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
• The ordinance is sponsored by the Public Health and Safety Committee, chaired by Council Member Amy Michael.

Michael told council members she was pleased to see Charlestown and Edinburg continue using Ravenna’s dispatch center, emphasizing that the city believes it offers “the best of the best in quality service.”

Council members noted there were no changes to the contracts from what had previously been discussed.

Procedurally, council:

• Voted to suspend the three separate readings of the ordinance.
• Adopted the emergency clause, allowing the legislation to take effect immediately.
• Approved Ordinance 2025-133 on final passage.

Temporary 2026 Budget Mirrors July Tax Budget

Next, council took up Ordinance 2025-134, adopting the temporary appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year.

Finance Director Miss Lawrence explained:

• The temporary budget is essentially a duplicate of the tax budget council approved in July 2025.
• The temporary appropriations ordinance is a required step to ensure a legal spending plan is in place on Jan. 1, 2026.
• No substantial changes have been made since the July tax budget was passed.

The tax budget documents were attached to the official agenda, while council also had printed handouts for related year-end financial “true up” adjustments.

Council members confirmed with Lawrence that there were no differences between the July tax budget and the temporary budget ordinance.

Council then:

• Suspended the three separate readings.
• Adopted the emergency clause.
• Approved Ordinance 2025-134, putting the temporary budget in place for the start of 2026.

Income Tax Distribution For 2026 Approved

Council moved on to Ordinance 2025-135, which accepts the distribution of income tax receipts for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, as outlined in an attached exhibit.

Lawrence described this ordinance as a routine, annual housekeeping item:

• The distribution plan mirrors what council approved last year, with no changes.
• The ordinance formally documents how income tax collections will be allocated across various city funds for 2026.

With no questions or concerns raised by council members, they:

• Suspended the three separate readings.
• Adopted the emergency clause.
• Approved Ordinance 2025-135.

Year-End Adjustments True Up 2025 Revenues And Appropriations

The most detailed financial discussion focused on Ordinance 2025-136, which adjusts 2025 estimated revenues and appropriations, as laid out in a schedule labeled “Schedule A.”

Finance Director Lawrence explained that this ordinance is part of the annual year-end clean-up process:

• She reviews all city funds and accounts at the end of the year.
• As final checks are run and purchase orders are closed, she must ensure:
  • Appropriations do not exceed estimated revenues, and
  • No fund ends the year in the negative.

Some highlights from her explanation:

• JED (Joint Economic Development) Revenue:

  • The city received more revenue than expected in at least one JED-related fund.
  • Adjustments are needed to “true up” appropriations and revenues so they align with actual collections.

• Parks Rentals – Shelters and Lodge:

  • Council noted adjustments to line items for shelter rentals and lodge rental fees.
  • Lawrence confirmed those adjustments reflect higher-than-anticipated rental revenue, calling it a positive sign of increased usage.

• Phone System Lease:

  • Council pointed to changes involving the phone system.
  • Lawrence said those entries reflect true-ups in the accounts that pay for the recently leased phone system, as proposed by Jonathan (referenced by first name in the meeting).
  • She had to increase certain allocations to match the finalized cost spread.

• Delta Dental (Account 735):

  • One of the accounts discussed, the 735 Delta Dental account, is a “zeroing account.”
  • Revenues and appropriations had to be adjusted upward by the same amount, because claims and expenses were slightly higher than anticipated.
  • The goal is to make sure the account balances to zero at year’s end, matching what came in with what went out.

Lawrence characterized many of the smaller line-item changes as “little things” that are necessary to keep the city in full compliance with state requirements.

Council:

• Suspended the three separate readings.
• Adopted the emergency clause.
• Approved Ordinance 2025-136, finalizing year-end adjustments for 2025.

Council Honors Outgoing Member Cheryl Wood

The last legislative item of the morning was Resolution 2025-137, a formal resolution of appreciation for Council Member Cheryl Wood, who has served as an at-large member since January 2020 and whose term ends Dec. 31, 2025.

Council Clerk Chelsea Gregor read the resolution in full, highlighting:

• Wood’s four years of service on Ravenna City Council.
• Her role as chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee, where she provided steady leadership and collaboration on multiple initiatives.
• Her involvement in grant funding and economic development, helping secure resources and opportunities for the city’s long-term growth.
• Her selection as Ravenna’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, recognizing her positive impact on residents.
• Her volunteer work with the Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, which has strengthened community connections and supported responsible development.
• Her status as a Ravenna alumnus and lifelong resident, embodying civic pride, integrity and community stewardship.

Council President Kairis said the resolution only “barely cuts the surface” of what Wood has done for the city, emphasizing the depth of council’s appreciation.

Council voted to:

• Waive the three separate readings, and
• Approve the resolution of appreciation.

Each member present voted yes, and Kairis added that while he could not officially vote on the resolution, he would “like to vote yes, too, ceremonially.”

Wood thanked her colleagues, calling it an “honor and pleasure” to serve with each of them.

Meeting Adjournment

With no additional business, council entertained a motion to adjourn. Members voted in favor, formally closing the Ravenna special year-end council meeting and the legislative year for 2025.