Macedonia Holds Finance Committee and Council Meetings: Tax Budget, Levy Renewal, and Infrastructure Projects Dominate Discussion

Pre-Meeting Activities The evening began at 6:15 PM with "Council Office Hour," where Councilor Vini Ventura was available for one-on-one discussions with residents. This program, instituted in 2018, provides citizens an opportunity for face-to-face conversations with council members before regular meetings. Finance Committee Meeting (6:45 PM) The Finance Committee convened at 6:45 PM in the Council Caucus Room to discuss the 2026 tax budget and conduct a mid-year financial review. Director of Finance John Veres led the discussion, which included several council members and city officials. 2026 Tax Budget Discussion Director Veres presented the alternate tax budget information for fiscal year 2026, explaining this annual requirement. "This is an annual item we do to send on the tax budget each year with our estimate of what the inside millage rates will be and our outside millage rate," Veres explained. Key points from the tax budget discussion: Inside millage rates : General Fund: 2.53 mills (generates approximately $1.6 million annually) Police Pension Fund: 3.0 mills (generates approximately $194,000 annually) Submission deadline : July 2025 to Summit County Council members expressed concern about House Bill 335, which threatens to eliminate inside millage. "If that got eliminated, we'd be losing $1.8 million a year that we'd have to make up in some other way or cut costs," Veres noted. Operating Levy Renewal Discussion The committee extensively discussed the 5.07 mill operating levy renewal scheduled for the November ballot. A particularly confusing aspect drew questions from council members. "So what's the difference between the item that we're putting on the ballot this November?" one council member asked, noting the discrepancy between the ballot language (5.07 mills) and the effective rate (1.1 mills). Veres explained: "Originally passed in 1967, it's now 58 years later. The effective millage is 1.1. It went down because property values went up." The discussion revealed frustration with state requirements that force the original millage rate on the ballot rather than the actual effective rate. "Why don't they correct it? Has it ever been asked? I mean, why is it so confusing?" a council member questioned. "The average person I don't think understands that." Mayor Molnar agreed to revisit this issue with state officials, though past attempts to change the requirement have been unsuccessful. Manor House Renovation Budget Council members questioned the $125,000 budgeted for Manor House renovation. Veres explained this was part of a two-year capital plan: $125,000 this year $125,000 next year Total $250,000 to replace the slate roof "The roof is... we've patched it and patched it and patched it. If the roof goes, everything goes," Veres warned. The Mayor added context: "That's our one piece of history in Macedonia that I think we want to hang on to." Council member Dave Finley, who has experience with slate roof projects at the University of Toledo, offered to review the estimates and potentially donate his time for design work, pending legal review for conflicts of interest. Budget Meeting Schedule The committee established the following schedule for 2026 budget discussions: September 11, 2025 September 25, 2025 Two meetings in October First reading of the 2026 budget ordinance: October 23, 2025 Work Session (7:00 PM) Following the Finance Committee, council members reconvened for an informal work session to preview the evening's agenda items. Discussions continued about various ordinances and resolutions scheduled for the regular meeting. Regular Council Meeting (7:30 PM) Mayor Nicholas Molnar called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 PM with all council members present: Jessica Brandt, Matt Ferraro, Dave Finley, Jeff Garvas, and Vini Ventura. Opening Ceremonies Invocation : Led by Chaplain O'Brien Moment of Silence : Observed for Lorain Police Officer Philip Wagner, who died from gunshot wounds in the line of duty Pledge of Allegiance : Led by Mayor Molnar Meeting Minutes Approval Council approved minutes from three previous meetings: June 12, 2025 regular meeting June 19, 2025 special meeting June 30, 2025 special meeting (Councilor Finley abstained) Public Comments One resident, Vinnie Milianta of 1095 Hampton Drive, spoke against the proposed dog leash ordinance, calling it "too strict." A dialogue ensued between Milianta and council members about the ordinance's scope and current laws regarding dogs on private property. Legislative Actions Second Reading Ordinance 40-2025 : Dog leash ordinance requiring dogs to be on leashes no longer than 20 feet when off owner's property Passed 1-2-3 (All Three Readings) Resolution 43-2025 : Alternate tax budget for 2026 Director Veres reiterated the annual requirement Passed unanimously Ordinance 44-2025 : Compensation schedule for non-union employees Creates temporary part-time administrative assistant position in Building Department Commissioner Monaco exp