Stow Council Passes 2027 Budget, Splits on Hudson Drive Water Line and Takes Up Deer Management

Stow City Council approved the city’s 2027 spending plan on Nov. 5. Members disagreed over a proposed cost sharing water line on the Hudson Drive extension. Council also set the stage for a discussion on managing the city’s deer population. Council met first as the Committee of the Whole, then held its regular meeting. Council President Kyle Herman ran both meetings. 2027 Budget Passes Unanimously Ordinance 2026-163, the annual appropriation ordinance for 2027, passed 7-0 on third reading. Council first voted 7-0 to amend it to version 2, on a motion from Councilwoman Kim Young. Councilman Cyle Feldman asked about contracted services in the water capital fund. About $40,000 is budgeted there, the finance director said. That money covers costs connected to repairs, such as assessing a break before work starts. Contractors are paid for the repairs themselves. New water line installation is all done by private contractors, officials said. Feldman also asked about the lodging tax. He recalled it at about $150,000 when he joined council. The budget now projects $475,000. The finance director explained that figure is anticipated revenue. The city only transfers what it actually receives. Smart Meters and Water Spending Another council member asked about $4.5 million in the water capital fund for 2027. The finance director confirmed that money is for smart water meters. If the city gets an Ohio Public Works Commission loan, it would be a 20 year loan at 0% interest. Payments would run about $200,000 a year. The city still has to budget the full payment to the meter company up front. The loan would offset it, making the first year net zero. The budget includes the expected increase in water revenue, which the finance director said she estimated conservatively. Water line work was left where the city engineer had it. When asked about using new revenue to add more water line work, she advised waiting. “I don’t think you have money to do that yet,” she said. She expects money to carry over from 2026, possibly $10 million to $12 million. Encumbrances are high right now because of the Graham Road resurfacing and Graham Road signal projects. She said she will have a clearer number at the next meeting. Three new positions planned for next year are included in the budget. Herman noted council can still amend the budget after it passes. Hudson Drive Water Line Gets First Reading Ordinance 2026-174 would let the director of public service seek bids for a water line on the Hudson Drive extension. Feldman moved to suspend the rules so council could adopt it that night. The roll call was 5-2, with Young and Herman voting no. The ordinance received its first reading instead. Herman said the administration had asked for a first reading only. That gives the city time to work out details before the next meeting. Cost, Precedent and a Resident’s Plea Council debated the project at length during the committee meeting. Chief of Staff and Director of Public Service Nick Wren said a council member requested the legislation. It includes conditions such as a public easement for the line. The city would control the bids and oversee the work. The applicant has offered to pay half. Young asked how many private roads the city has done this for. “None,” Wren answered. He said the city does have a program for residents with failing wells. Homeowners who tap in when a line is run currently pay $5,000. Young asked whether the city had done this for any other business. Wren said he did not believe so. Young then raised concerns about precedent. The acting law director said there is no way to know what future developers might request. Other businesses could point to this case, though. Young said council just raised water rates by $3 a month. She noted she also lives on a private road, where the developer paid for the water line. “I’m concerned about the precedent,” she said. Feldman said he would support it, calling the cost sharing arrangement common sense. He recalled the city extending a water line for a business in the past. Wren said that extension was part of a tax incentive agreement. Councilman Mario Fiocca said other residents in the area could tap into the line later. Wren confirmed they could, similar to the city’s past program. Councilwoman Kelly Coffey asked about city conservation land behind the property that has had fires. Wren said the land has had two fires. A hydrant would not go in an open field, he added. The first cost estimate given was $180,000. After the executive session, Wren corrected the estimate to $100,000. During public comment, a resident who lives on the Hudson Drive extension urged council to approve it. He said the wells in the area have gone sour. Residents cannot drink or wash with the water. He said neighbors have sought city water since the 1970s, and a hydrant would help firefighters protect homes there. Soccer Goalkeeper Academy Approved on Allen Road Resolution 2026-170 had been on hold since Oct. 22. Coun