St. Marys City Council Approves Solid Waste Fee Change, McKinley Road Improvement

ST. MARYS, Ohio — St. Marys City Council approved several pieces of legislation Monday evening, including action involving the Auglaize County Solid Waste District and an upcoming road improvement project near Mercer Landmark.

City of St. Marys Manager of Industrial and Community Development Mike Burkholder provided a recap of the meeting. The city lists Burkholder’s official title as Manager of Industrial and Community Development.

Council approved Ordinance 2026-11 on its third reading, supporting the abolishment of the Auglaize County Solid Waste District’s generation fee. The district’s updated solid waste plan calls for transitioning away from the current generation fee and potentially using a designation fee instead.

The existing generation fee is $7.65 per ton of solid waste generated within Auglaize County. County officials previously announced plans to abolish that fee as part of the district’s updated funding structure.

Council also held second readings on two proposed street and alley vacations. Ordinance 2026-12 involves vacating a portion of Plum Street right-of-way, while Ordinance 2026-13 concerns a 12-foot-wide east-west alley bordered by Outlots 48, 49 and 50.

Under new legislation, council approved an emergency resolution authorizing the city’s Director of Public Service and Safety to accept bids and award a contract for improvements at the McKinley Road and Spruce Street intersection.

Burkholder said the road work is being coordinated with a new Mercer Landmark feed mill project and is intended to improve the movement of semi traffic through the McKinley Road and Spruce Street intersection.

Council also approved a resolution of appreciation for St. Marys Law Director Zach G. Ferrall. The resolution was listed as Resolution 2026-09 on Monday’s agenda.

Burkholder said Ferrall is preparing to move into a Common Pleas Court judicial position next year and thanked him for 12 years of service to the City of St. Marys. Ferrall currently serves as the city’s elected Law Director.