Ashtabula Council Splits 4 to 2 on Rental Property Tax Abatement, Advances New House Numbering Rule

Tax Abatement For Rental Home Divides Council Council voted 4 to 2 to approve Ordinance 2026 136, authorizing a Community Reinvestment Area tax incentive agreement with River and Rail Development LLC. The agreement grants a 100% property tax abatement for seven years for a new residential dwelling at 725 E. 15th St. Council members RoLesia Holman and Jane DiGiacomo voted no. Holman said abatements work well for redevelopment and major remodeling but expressed concern about extending one to a long term rental. She noted the city's rental rate is already approaching 50%. Council President John Roskovics questioned why council routinely approves 100% abatements without weighing lower percentages, saying he has asked that question since joining council. Ward II Councilperson Terence Guerriero supported the abatement, noting the property has sat vacant for years. He said new construction there would benefit the surrounding neighborhood. City Manager Jim Timonere told council the rental will still generate income tax revenue, along with sewer and garbage fees the city has never collected on the vacant lot. Councilperson Jodi Mills referenced comments from a local Board of Realtors representative who called new construction a driver of economic growth given rising building and living costs. Roskovics pointed to rising interest rates, saying a banker recently told him abatements help make new homes affordable for buyers rather than functioning like rent payments. Vehicle Purchase And Personnel Items Approved Council approved Ordinance 2026 137, authorizing a contract with AM Ford in Jefferson for a Ford Maverick, not to exceed $28,995. The truck replaces a 2010 Ford Explorer used by the Planning and Community Development Department that developed transmission and electrical problems. Timonere said the city is covering the cost by not purchasing new police vehicles this year, instead using previously acquired vehicles, along with skipping some public works equipment purchases. Council also passed Ordinance 2026 138, acknowledging the hiring of Emily Bussanich as victim advocate in the city solicitor's office and granting her credit for prior service. Bussanich came to the city directly from the Ashtabula County Juvenile Court. City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said the credit brings Bussanich in line with union employees who automatically receive prior service credit toward vacation accrual. The credit takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and does not include back pay. Ordinances 137 through 140 passed together in consent agenda format on a 6 to 0 vote. Budget Reserve Policy And Road Funding Discussed Council adopted Ordinance 2026 139, establishing the city's Budgetary General Fund Reserve Policy. Finance Director Vladimir Kan explained the policy sets reserve parameters between two months, or 16.67%, and 50% of the budget. Council retains authority to set higher parameters if needed. The policy also requires that utility fee increases occur within the two preceding fiscal years before an enterprise fund can draw a subsidy from the general fund, preventing what Kan called a bailout situation. Council additionally approved Ordinance 2026 140, making supplemental appropriation changes to the 205 State, County and Municipal Roads Public Works Fund. During committee reports, Mills said the city's paving levy brings in about $800,000 annually, while a planned full reconstruction of Lake Avenue, tied to an Aqua Ohio water line replacement project, could cost more than $2 million. Timonere noted the city is currently in deficit spending and has not sought an increase to the paving levy. New Rule Would Require House Numbers On Back Of Homes Council introduced Ordinances 2026 141 and 2026 142 on first reading, repealing and replacing codified ordinance section 1329.03. The new rule requires house numbers on the rear of homes that have alley access driveways, in addition to numbers already required on the front. Guerriero, who chairs the Safety Forces committee, said fire, police and delivery personnel often struggle to identify addresses from alleyways because rear numbering is inconsistent or missing. Council added an effective date of Nov. 1 to the ordinance during Monday's meeting after members noted the original draft lacked one. The city has not yet determined who will notify affected property owners and tenants. Data Center Moratorium Recommendation Expected This Week A council member reported that the Community Development and Economic Development committee will meet Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., with a representative from Policy Matters Ohio presenting on data centers. The committee expects to recommend a moratorium on data center development, which would then come before full council for consideration. Tobacco Sales Ordinance Passes On Second Reading Council passed Ordinances 2026 134 and 2026 135 on a 6 to 0 vote, repealing and replacing codified ordinance chapter 761.99 governing tobacco sales to people under 21. The updated chapter