The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night, Feb. 10, and learned the city will host a fireworks display for the first time in several years, while also approving ordinances tied to the Hoffman Pool project, municipal court staffing, and airport improvements.
Mayor David Crissman announced the fireworks show will be held July 3 as part of the nationwide America 250 Celebration, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Crissman said the event is expected to take place at either Blue Jacket Park or the Logan County Fairgrounds.
Plans are in the works via Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District staff to have a hog roast and other festivities during the all-day July 3 event, Crissman noted.
City officials also plan to place added emphasis on making the 2026 Memorial Day parade larger and better attended as part of the celebration, the mayor said.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds reported that excavation work has begun at the Harmon Field revitalization project and it is progressing on schedule. Dodds also discussed next steps for the new Hoffman Pool, explaining that the city is using a Construction Manager at Risk approach to provide greater cost transparency and coordination throughout construction.
Police Chief Chris Marlow told council that the department continues to evaluate applicants as part of ongoing hiring efforts. He also recognized Patrol Officer Kollin Stollar as Officer of the Year and Amanda Metz as Dispatcher of the Year. Marlow added that the next Citizens’ Police Academy is scheduled to begin Feb. 19.
Fire Chief Brian Wilson updated council on several Fire Department projects, including continued preparation work on the department’s new fire engine. Wilson said technicians will be arriving soon to work on new radio equipment, and that the department plans to interview 17 candidates in the coming days.
City Engineer Jim Bischoff provided an update on GoBus service coming to Bellefontaine. Presale tickets will be available beginning Feb. 11, with service scheduled to start March 2. Bellefontaine will be included on the GoBus Red Route, connecting Toledo and Cincinnati, with two northbound and two southbound stops operating seven days a week.
The Bellefontaine GoBus stop will be located in the Logan County Friendly Senior Center overflow parking lot, Bischoff said. The Ohio Department of Transportation will handle ticketing, and signage posted at the stop will include a QR code allowing riders to purchase tickets directly from their mobile devices.
CLICK HERE to learn more about expanding transportation options available in Logan County.
Councilman Jordan Reser provided an update on city parks, and said the newly hired Parks Superintendent Rick Reed expressed his appreciation to those who have provided support as he begins his new role.
Reser also noted that Reed’s wife, Joliece Reed, voluntarily resigned from the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board earlier in the evening after 14 years of service.
Reser thanked Mrs. Reed for her years of service to the city park system.
The councilman also noted registration deadlines are approaching for some park athletic programs. Registration deadline for Chieftain Run Club, grades 3-5, is March 9, while registration closes out March 13 for Hi-Point Baseball. A mandatory skills assessment for Girls Youth Softball is also March 9.
Pat Ellis, board president of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District, said Wednesday that Mrs. Reed was not required to step down as a result of her husband, Rick Reed, recently being hired as parks superintendent.
Ellis noted, however, that Mr. Reed did need to resign from his position on the Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education to avoid a conflict of interest between the two roles.
Council took the following action on ordinances:
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Ordinance 26-03 authorizing a Construction Manager at Risk agreement and construction contract with local firm Marker Construction for the Hoffman Pool project. Council waived the three-reading rule and passed the ordinance on first and final reading, adopting it unanimously. The project cost is capped at $7,050,000.
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Ordinance 26-04 creating a full-time deputy bailiff/probation officer position for Bellefontaine Municipal Court. The ordinance was passed on first reading only, unanimously. The position carries an hourly pay rate of $27.04. A part-time position will be eliminated with the creation of the full-time one.
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Ordinance 26-05 creating a part-time probation case manager position for Bellefontaine Municipal Court. Council waived the three-reading rule and passed the ordinance on first and final reading, adopting it unanimously.
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Ordinance 26-06 amending the 2026 Bellefontaine Municipal Court wage ordinance to include the newly created bailiff and probation positions. Council waived the three-reading rule and passed the ordinance on first and final reading, adopting it unanimously.
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Ordinance 26-02 authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals, advertise for bids, and enter into contracts for the Bellefontaine Municipal Airport runway and taxiway lighting and signage rehabilitation project. The ordinance was passed on second reading only.
The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb 24.
