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Celina City Council Reviews 2026 Budget, Capital Projects, and Infrastructure Plans

CELINA, OH (November 10, 2025) — Celina City Council met Monday night to continue reviewing and advancing the city’s 2026 budget and project plans, moving several major ordinances forward on second readings.

The Personnel and Finance Committee reported ongoing discussions with department heads about next year’s capital expenditures, including upgrades for the wastewater and water treatment plants, electric distribution system, and parks and recreation facilities.

A major expense in the proposed budget includes $2 million for engineering costs tied to a planned expansion of the water treatment plant. Officials noted that rising chemical and disposal costs continue to strain utility budgets, and rate increases may be needed in both the water and wastewater departments.

The city’s electric department also anticipates higher costs, with purchase power expected to rise from $18.5 million to as much as $21 million in 2026 due to capacity market changes and growing regional demand.

Council gave second readings to several ordinances, including those authorizing:

• 2026 budget appropriations totaling nearly $60 million

• Advertising and bidding for city projects and capital equipment

• Contracts for materials, services, and supplies needed in 2026

Council also discussed updates to the Westview Park restrooms, which are nearing completion, and noted that the new pool slide funded by the Bryson Trust has passed final testing. Mayor Jeff Hazel said the trust is also expected to help fund a new playground at Westview Park.

Council will continue its budget review with another Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on November 17 at 5 p.m., before final readings take place in December.

The meeting concluded with reminders about winter driving safety following the season’s first snowfall.

The Following is an AI Generated summary of the November 10th meeting of the Celina City Council:

Opening Invocation and Pledge

• Prayer offered; Pledge of Allegiance recited.

• Proceeded to agenda acceptance and approval of prior minutes.

Agenda Acceptance and Approval of Minutes (Oct 27, 2025)

• Motion to accept agenda; seconded; approved by voice vote.

• Council meeting minutes from Oct 27, 2025 approved via roll call.

Personnel & Finance Committee Report (Nov 3, 5:00–6:21 p.m.)

• Focus: Review of 2026 budget and capital expenditures across departments.

• Departments met: Wastewater Treatment, Water Treatment, Electric Distribution, Customer Accounts.

• Wastewater Treatment:

  • Capital: Forklift, mower, gator, meters (cost split with Water), brick manhole lining, engineering for Water Treatment Plant expansion.

  • Operations: High chemical costs; rising landfill disposal; long lead times; limited manufacturers.

  • Financial: Must balance revenues and expenditures; rate increase likely due to higher costs.

• Water Department:

  • Capital: Meter split, 703 water line replacement ($800,000, with county portion); conserving due to upcoming priorities (e.g., new fire hall).

  • Operations: Slight cost reduction from tightening operations.

  • Costs: DNR payment rose significantly in 2024; potential further increases due to drought/usage.

  • Chemical surcharge: “Maxed out” adder; costs exceed intake; rate increase likely.

  • Pool: Sand filter valve replacement; parking lot crack sealing/coating; pool house water heater replacement. New slide funded by Bryson Trust (no budget impact).

• Electric Department:

  • Capital: Poles/lights; traffic light at Wayne & Fountain; transformers/regulators; substation relays/testing; radio-read meter upgrade; North Street building site work.

  • Purchase power: Forecast increased from $18.5 million to $20–$21 million (2026), driven by capacity markets impacted by regional data centers and power plant requirements; capacity charges increased eightfold.

  • Renewable sourcing: ~2% of load from local solar.

  • Anticipated rate increase due to purchase power spikes.

• Customer Accounts:

  • No capital expenditures; personnel costs shared among electric, water, wastewater.

• Cybersecurity:

  • New line items across departments per Ohio Revised Code requirements.

Communications and Recognitions

• Congratulations to three councilmen-elect attending; anticipated seating in January.

• Appreciation to Lions Club for annual Halloween parade at the amphitheater.

Audience Communication: Pedestrian Safety

• Citizen (Jesse Francis) followed up on prior concerns; seeks contact for deeper discussion.

• Directed to contact city office (Tom Hitchcock) to schedule a sit-down meeting.

New Business: 2026 Appropriations and Authorizations

• Ordinance 41-25-0 (2026 Appropriations; Emergency):

  • Multiple fund totals read, including:

    • General appropriations totals: $10,392,536.52 (clarified exact cents), transfers: $1,952,957.10.

    • Cemetery: $62,325; Street M&R: $886,573; Street Cleaning: $134,422; Parks & Recreation: $744,976.64.

    • Policeman’s Relief & Pension: $89,291.91; Fireman’s Relief & Pension: $542,410.04.

    • Permissive License Fee: $70,000; Indigent Drivers Alcohol Treatment: $50,000; Court Computer: $75,000; Court Indigent Special Projects: $10,000.

    • Ohio Urban & Community Forestry Grant: $35,712.32.

    • Capital Projects: $2,364,600; TIF Expenses: $2,653,353.05; Debt Service Funds: $137,074.

    • Electric Revenue Fund: $28,795,847.44; Utility Depository: $120,000; Water Revenue: $5,274,579.08; Wastewater Revenue: $4,554,749.46; Stormwater Utility: $94,850.

    • GAC Debt Retirement: $430,041.476 (as read; correction note was mentioned for another fund: Unclaimed Money Fund $10,000 in Section 26).

    • Self-Insurance Fund: $5,000.

    • Total appropriations: $59,687,642.55.

  • Emergency clause for timely operation in 2026.

  • Passed to second reading, 7-0.

• Ordinance 42-25-0 (Bids for 2026 Projects & Capital Equipment):

  • Authorizes advertising/bidding for listed items across departments (administration building repairs/flooring; police vehicles/upfitting/computers/weapons and optics; fire SUV and upfitting; cemetery garage improvements; public works generator, shelving, salt storage, sidewalks; parks equipment, pool maintenance, playgrounds, shelter houses, fencing; electric infrastructure; water line replacement and hydrants; wastewater equipment; projects including Haviman/Grand Lake resurface and Legacy Lane extension).

  • Passed to second reading, 7-0.

• Ordinance 43-25-0 (Bids for Materials/Services/Supplies/Equipment; Emergency to be added):

  • Authorizes bidding for consulting services, cleaning services, treatment chemicals (list specified), materials, and contract labor/equipment for various maintenance and electric distribution upgrades.

  • Clarified annual process and emergency clause rationale for January 1 effectiveness.

  • Emergency clause added by amendment; passed to second reading, 7-0.

Old Business

• Ordinance 40-25-0 (Clerk of Council Annual Salary):

  • Passed to third reading, 7-0.

• Ordinance 39-25-0 (Indigent Defense Agreement with Mercer County for 2026):

  • Third and final reading; passed, 7-0.

  • Noted as routine annual/biannual authorization.

Administrative Reports

• Mayor:

  • Winter driving reminder after first snow; sheriff issued level one advisory; city roads mostly fine.

  • Logan Street project: Strong contractor progress; aim to pave south of Logan before winter; gas utility line replacements completed; service lines updated.

  • Westview restrooms: Approximately two weeks from completion; ready for next year.

  • Pool: New slide passed tests; pool drained; funded by Bryson Trust; planning additional Bryson Trust–supported items (e.g., new Westview playground) pending confirmation.

• Auditor/Safety Service Director:

  • No additional comments.

Good of the Order and Scheduling

• Salt supply: City participates in county salt bid; committed quantities; prepared for a potentially heavier winter.

• Committee scheduling:

  • Personnel & Finance Committee meeting set for Monday the 17th at 5:00 p.m. (corrected from 5:30) to continue budget review.

  • Note: Appointment of Mercer County Coroner occurring the same evening; quorum considerations noted.

Next Arrangements

• Personnel & Finance Committee meeting on Monday the 17th at 5:00 p.m. to continue 2026 budget review

• City office to coordinate a sit-down meeting with Jesse Francis regarding pedestrian safety

• Administration to finalize the emergency clause and schedule the third reading for Ordinance 43-25-0, if needed

• Continue departmental budget presentations and reviews ahead of final readings

• Monitor the Logan Street paving window and complete before winter, weather permitting