The Bellefontaine City Council passed 14 ordinances, three resolutions and said good-bye to four members who are retiring from their seats at the end of the year at its regular bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, Dec. 9, the council’s last scheduled meeting of 2025.
The council opened Tuesday’s session with a moment of silence in remembrance of Kris Myers, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, who passed away unexpectedly last week.
Prior to jumping into the agenda, the council recognized and lauded the four members who will retire from their positions, effective Dec. 31. Those members include President of Council Zeb Wagner, First Ward Council Member John Aler, at-large Council Member Deb Baker, and Fourth Ward Council Member MacKenzie Fitzpatrick.
At the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Ben Stahler will take over as President of Council, Wes Easton will move in to the at-large seat, Mick Lile will fill the Fourth Ward position, and Devin Palmer will take the First Ward council chair, all four of whom won their positions in the November election, as previously detailed in the Examiner.
All of the resolutions and ordinances presented at Tuesday’s meeting – 17 in total – passed with unanimous votes.
Included in the resolutions was an authorization for the city to remove a $650 tax lien on the property located at 217 S. Park St. Another will allow the city to replace LED lighting Bellefontaine Municipal Airport, while a third adopted a cybersecurity program for the city.
Council waived the three-reading rule and adopted on the final vote an ordinance approving the Maris Park Phase V dedication plat, a section of land just over 21 acres in size located in Jefferson Township on the east side of the city. The development is expected to contain 53 housing units.
Among the other ordinances which passed Tuesday set the yearly pay scales for the city’s elected positions, including the Bellefontaine Municipal Court judge, the seven city council members, clerk of council, mayor, law director, auditor and treasurer (see below), as well as the 2026 supervisory wage scale, the 2026 service wage scale, the 2026 Municipal Court employees wages and the 2026 clerical workers pay.
The council also approved ordinances allowing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, making temporary appropriations for the year, beginning Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026, and created positions for a chief deputy clerk for the Municipal Court, an inspector/locater for the wastewater department, an assistant water superintendent, and an assistant sewer superintendent.
Also at the council meeting Tuesday, Olivia Covey was named as the new Downtown Event Coordinator, Matt Galloway was assigned to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Board, and Tom Stephens was appointed to fill the open position on the Shade Tree Commission.
Because of the Christmas holiday, Tuesday’s gathering was the final scheduled meeting of the council in 2025. The Bellefontaine City Council is slated to next meet in regular session Tuesday, Jan. 13.
*****
Below are the new pay scales for the elected positions in the City of Bellefontaine beginning Jan. 1, 2026, as adopted by ordinance at the city council meeting:
POSITION COMPENSATION
President of Council (1): 2025: $6,470; 2026-27$6,795
Council Member (7) — 2025: $6,000; 2026-27: $6,300
Clerk of Council (1) — 2025: $9,800; 2026-27: $10,290
Mayor (1) — 2025: $36,000; 2026-27: $36,000
Law Director (1) — 2025: $63,450; 2026-27: $63,450
Auditor (1): 2025: $54,000; 2026-27: $54,000
Treasurer (1): 2025: $10,500; 2026-27: $11,815
