The Docket · Government Meeting · DKT-2026-000960

On the agenda: Middletown meeting — data center (May 19)

Past ⚠ Agenda Watch Middletown, Ohio · Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — 4 months ago

About this record

The published agenda for this May 19 meeting contains: "data center". The meeting has passed; the record and its outcome live here permanently.

WhenTuesday, May 19, 2026
Check the agenda document for the meeting time.

WhereMiddletown, Ohio

Money$8,200,000, was at stake

On the record“data center”

The agenda, word for word

Government public record — the full text of the published document, archived August 18, 2026. Gold highlighting of key terms is ours, not the original’s. Read the original document ↗

121 pages · scroll to read

Page 1 of 121

1. May 19, 2025 Updated Agenda
Documents:
20260519 AGENDA- UPDATED .PDF
1.I. May 19, 2025 Updated Workbook
Documents:
05-19-2026 WORKBOOK- UPDATED.PDF
1.II. LEGISLATION APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL MAY 19, 2026
Documents:
20260519 LEGISLATION APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL .PDF

Page 2 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING – 5:30 PM – COUNCIL CHAMBERS – LOWER LEVEL
MOMENT OF MEDITATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG/ ROLL CALL
CITIZEN COMMENTS
COUNCIL COMMENTS
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Strategic Plan Update from Envision
CONSENT AGENDA. . . Matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine and will be
enacted by one motion and one vote of consent. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If
discussion is desired, that item will be removed and considered separately.
a) Approve City Council Minutes of May 5, 2026
b) Receive and file the following board and commission minutes:
Board of Health- March 10, 2026
Tax Incentive Review Committee- August 30, 2024
c) Confirm the conditional appointment of Noah Arnold to the position of Maintenance Worker in
the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Stormwater Maintenance Division.
d) Confirm the conditional appointment of Gage Crase to the position of Maintenance Worker in the
Department of Public Works and Utilities, Water Maintenance Division.
e) Confirm the conditional appointment of Cory Osborne to the position of Maintenance Worker in
the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Water Maintenance Division.
f) Confirm the conditional appointment of Grady Page to the position of Maintenance Worker in the
Department of Public Works and Utilities, Sewer Maintenance Division.
g) Confirm the conditional appointment of Logan Dooley to the position of Patrol Officer in the
Department of Public Safety, Division of Police.
h) Confirm the conditional appointment of Logan Vaughn to the position of Zoning Administrator in
the Community & Economic Development Department.
i) Confirm the appointment of Kristopher Stidd to the position of Computer Technician in the
Information Systems Department.
j) Confirm the appointment of Lynn Crank to the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police
Department.
k) Confirm the conditional appointment of Robert Cavin to the position of Dispatcher in the
Department of Public Safety, Division of Police.
l) Receive and file Oaths of Office for April Cromer, Jacob Long and Matthew Morningstar.
m) Approve the Final Plat of The Preserve at Roosevelt Ridge, Section 2.
MOTION AGENDA
a) Receive, file and adopt the 2025 Tax Incentive Review Committee recommendations.
LEGISLATION
1.

Ordinance No. O2026-27, an ordinance authorizing additional funds for the contract with Bryx, Inc.
for the fire station alerting system and declaring an emergency.

Page 3 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
2.

Ordinance No. O2026-28, an ordinance authorizing the submission of an application for federal
assistance, an action plan and a projected use of funds, under Title I of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, for Program Year 2026. (Second Reading)

Ordinance No. O2026-29, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a contract with
Clayton Property Solutions for lawncare and landscaping services at the Event Center of Middletown
and declaring an emergency.

Ordinance No. O2026-30, an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with
the River Corridor Improvement Subdistrict of the Miami Conservancy District for the City to
participate in The Great Miami Riverway Initiative and declaring an emergency.

Resolution No. R2026-14, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and enter into a
grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, for an Airport
Improvement Program Grant for the Runway 5 Obstruction Removal Project at Middletown Regional
Airport for state fiscal year 2027 and declaring an emergency.

Ordinance No. O2026-31, an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a job creation
incentive grant agreement with Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. and declaring an emergency.
(No action is requested until June 2, 2026).

Ordinance No. O2026-32, an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into an enterprise zone
agreement with Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. providing for a new manufacturing facility as a
development project and tax exemption pursuant to the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program and declaring
an emergency. (No action is requested until June 2, 2026).

Resolution No. R2026-15, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Ohio Department
of Development 629 Roadwork Development Grant for the Phase 2 roadway improvements at
Renaissance Pointe and declaring an emergency. (No action is requested until June 2, 2026).

Ordinance No. O2026-33, an ordinance authorizing all actions necessary to renegotiate the rate for
the governmental natural gas aggregation program and declaring an emergency. (No action is
requested until June 2, 2026).

10. Ordinance No. O2026-34, an ordinance amending Ordinance No. O2025-68 establishing pay ranges
and certain benefits for employee classifications in the Middletown Department of Health and
Environment. (First Reading)
11. Ordinance No. O2026-35, an ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum
principal amount of $8,200,000, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of paying
the costs of the acquisition of the Towne Mall and related structures located on parcel numbers
703153006, 703176040, 70317601 and 703172002 and costs of related due diligence, title work
and design services, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto, all in support of economic
development and job creation within the City. (First Reading)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Citizen Comments Guidelines
NEW BUSINESS

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MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (1) To consider the appointment of a
public employee or official.

Page 5 of 121

Ordinance No. O2026-27, an ordinance authorizing additional funds for the contract with Bryx, Inc.
for the fire station alerting system and declaring an emergency.

Page 6 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
2.

Page 7 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (1) To consider the appointment of a
public employee or official.

Page 8 of 121

CITIZEN
COMMENTS

Page 9 of 121

COUNCIL
COMMENTS

Page 10 of 121

CITY MANAGER
REPORTS

Page 11 of 121

CONSENT
AGENDA

Page 12 of 121

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Slamka called the regular City Council meeting to order in Council
Chambers, Lower Level of the City Building.
ROLL CALL

City Council Members present: J. Carter, S. West, J. Mulligan, E. Slamka, P. Lolli.

CITIZEN COMMENTS
Gilbert Lafayette

Gilbert Lafayette, 2108 Sheffield Street, Middletown, Ohio, addressed Council regarding
the potential environmental impact of data centers on the Great Miami River and
Middletown’s water resources. He expressed concern over the large volume of water
consumption associated with data center cooling systems and the potential discharge
of chemicals, including biocides and corrosion inhibitors, into groundwater and surface
water. Mr. Lafayette proposed legislation requiring all industrial cooling water discharges
to undergo on-site pretreatment prior to entering the municipal sewer system, including
pH neutralization, dichlorination, oxidant removal, heavy metal filtration, and sediment
filtration in accordance with Ohio EPA standards. He also suggested that data centers
operate using self-contained water systems with isolated retention pools and closed-loop
cooling systems to minimize withdrawals from the aquifer and eliminate wastewater
discharge into the river and sewer system. In addition, Mr. Lafayette discussed long-term
economic and retirement concerns affecting residents, including low rates of
homeownership and insufficient retirement savings among younger adults. He proposed
the creation of an “M Fund,” funded through an additional allocation tied to city tax
revenue, intended to provide residents with long-term savings benefits after 20 years of
participation while also supporting community projects and assistance programs
through forfeited or inactive accounts. He stated that the proposal was intended to
encourage civic participation, strengthen economic stability, and support Middletown’s
future growth and development.

Lisa Dethlefs

Lisa Dethlefs, 1050 Central Avenue, Middletown Ohio, the owner of Iron Rose and a
member of the Downtown Middletown Incorporated (DMI) Board, addressed Council
regarding the opening of a new business in historic downtown Middletown, Growing in
Business Education Company, owned by April Kirby. Ms. Dethlefs explained that the
business focuses on helping entrepreneurs build and grow businesses and also
operates a nonprofit program, Kids Growing in Business, which teaches
entrepreneurship to children and teens through hands-on learning experiences. She
shared that her daughter, Charlie, operates a small business called Charlie’s Dog Street
Dog Treat Stand through the program’s curriculum. Ms. Dethlefs stated that although
she had initially been uncertain about establishing roots in Middletown due to concerns
about growth and city support, the encouragement and support received from the local
business community and Downtown Middletown Incorporated influenced the decision to
invest in the area. She stated that the organization aims to create opportunities for
entrepreneurs of all ages by providing a collaborative space for learning, business
development, and community engagement. Ms. Dethlefs thanked Downtown
Middletown Incorporated and the local business community for fostering an
environment where small businesses feel welcomed and supported, and stated that the
new business is committed to contributing to Middletown’s continued growth and
development.

Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson, 6700 Locust lane, Middletown, Ohio, a long-term Middletown resident,
past chair of Downtown Middletown Incorporated (DMI), and current co-chair of
Middletown Pride, addressed Council to express appreciation for Council’s service and
continued support of downtown Middletown, the downtown community, and DMI. Ms.
Johnson stated that downtown Middletown is entering an exciting period of
redevelopment with the 555 project and the commitments made by the Middletown
Community Foundation, the City, and the County. She stated that DMI’s role is to help
maintain downtown vitality and support small businesses while larger long-term
redevelopment efforts move forward. Ms. Johnson also emphasized the importance of
adopting and implementing strong vacant property legislation to support downtown
revitalization efforts, stating that redevelopment cannot succeed if surrounding vacant
buildings continue to deteriorate. She referenced other communities, including
Lebanon, where stronger vacant property enforcement has resulted in legal action
against negligent property owners, and stated that Middletown should adopt both
incentives and meaningful financial penalties to encourage property owners to maintain
and improve vacant buildings. Ms. Johnson urged Council to support and implement
vacant property legislation as quickly as possible to assist with ongoing downtown
revitalization efforts.

Page 13 of 121

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

Steve Whayne

Steve Whayne, 4200 N. University Boulevard, Middletown, Ohio, spoke on behalf of
Downtown Middletown Incorporated (DMI) and addressed Council regarding the
organization’s mission and community involvement. Mr. Whayne stated that he had been
employed at Miami University for approximately six and a half years and currently
volunteers on the DMI Board, assisting with events including the Women’s Wine and
Chocolate Walk, Hocus Pocus, and other downtown activities. He noted that DMI
volunteers contributed more than 4,000 hours of service during the previous year. Mr.
Whayne explained that his involvement with DMI, the Middletown Rotary Club, and
volunteer efforts at the Sorg Opera House were motivated by a desire to become more
engaged in the Middletown community. He also outlined DMI’s five primary goals:
building a vibrant community, unifying downtown businesses and organizations,
improving the appearance and image of downtown, leveraging historic preservation, and
developing a strong economic base. Mr. Whayne expressed support for these goals and
thanked Council for its service while requesting continued support for Downtown
Middletown Incorporated and its initiatives.

Ron Taulbee

Ron Taulbee, 6676 Hamilton Middletown Road, Middletown, Ohio, addressed Council
on behalf of Downtown Middletown Incorporated (DMI). Mr. Taulbee stated that he and
his wife own One Hope Farm on Route 4, where they operate “Barnyard on the Go,” a
mobile agricultural experience conducted through a fully enclosed and handicapaccessible trailer featuring live animals and educational agricultural displays about food
sources and farming. Mr. Taulbee stated that DMI had been an invaluable supporter of
their business and that participation in at least six DMI-sponsored or hosted events over
the past 18 months had significantly contributed to the organization’s growth and
visibility. He explained that exposure through DMI events led to additional opportunities
to present their agricultural program at Edgewood Schools, Middletown City Schools,
Middletown Christian Schools, local daycare centers, nursing homes, and other
community events. Mr. Taulbee stated that DMI has played a major role not only in the
success of his organization but also in supporting the growth of other local businesses
and community initiatives. He further stated that his experiences with DMI demonstrated
that the organization is made up of individuals who care deeply about the community
and are committed to attracting people back to the City of Middletown.

Heather Gibson

Heather Gibson, 3215 Morgan Street, Middletown, Ohio, addressed Council as a
business owner and stakeholder invested in downtown Middletown. Ms. Gibson stated
that her business, Triple Moon, recently celebrated its 11th anniversary and reflected on
the long-term commitment that she and other downtown business owners have made to
the City and its revitalization efforts. She acknowledged and thanked Council for its
continued support and investment in downtown redevelopment, while emphasizing the
importance of maintaining current momentum through ongoing collaboration and
support. Ms. Gibson stated that Downtown Middletown Incorporated plays a critical role
in downtown revitalization through organizing events, supporting local businesses, and
attracting visitors to the area, and she stressed the importance of consistent funding
and strong partnerships between the City, Downtown Middletown Incorporated, business
owners, and property owners. She further emphasized the need to improve existing
downtown areas through measures such as enhanced lighting, beautification efforts,
security cameras, and infrastructure improvements to better support events and create
a welcoming environment. Ms. Gibson referenced her previous experience serving on
the board for the revitalization of Miamisburg and stated that successful redevelopment
efforts are driven by strong partnerships, communication, and shared goals among
community stakeholders. She encouraged continued collaboration and intentional
investment in both future projects and existing downtown areas to support the continued
growth and success of downtown Middletown.

Barry Moore

Barry Moore, 1105 Hughes Street, Middletown, Ohio, addressed Council as a long-term
Middletown resident, stating he has lived in the city since the early 1980s. Mr. Moore
expressed concerns regarding police response to ongoing neighborhood safety issues
near his residence, stating that he and his family have experienced harassment and
threats from individuals living nearby over an extended period. He described specific
incidents involving his children and family members and stated that multiple police
reports had been filed over the past year. Mr. Moore expressed frustration with what he
perceived as insufficient police action in response to these complaints, including an
incident he characterized as inappropriate physical contact involving a minor and
another alleged incident involving threats with a weapon. He stated his belief that
existing laws and probable cause standards should allow for stronger enforcement
action and referenced Ohio Revised Code provisions in support of his concerns. Mr.
Moore requested increased police intervention and enforcement to address ongoing

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MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

safety issues and emphasized his desire for protection of his family and resolution of the
situation.
Scott Stephens

Scott Stephens, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County, addressed Council and
described the organization’s mission as a mentoring-based “social infrastructure” that
builds long-term community impact through relationships. He stated that the
organization, which has served Butler County since the 1960s, operates as a mentoring
program focused on youth development rather than a physical location-based service.
Mr. Stevens explained that mentoring has measurable positive outcomes for children,
including improved emotional regulation, higher high school graduation and college
attendance rates, and reduced likelihood of future involvement with the criminal justice
system. He noted that there are currently 27 children in Middletown waiting for mentors,
some for more than two years, and encouraged community members and local
businesses to consider becoming mentors or supporting the program. Mr. Stevens
emphasized that mentorship benefits both children and adult volunteers and urged
continued community involvement to expand mentoring opportunities for local youth.

Dan Lauro

Dan Lauro, owner of Gravel Road Company at 916 1st Avenue, Middletown, Ohio,
addressed Council regarding the impact and importance of Downtown Middletown
Incorporated (DMI) and its role in downtown revitalization. Mr. Lauro stated that he is a
stakeholder in the city’s future and emphasized the importance of DMI’s participation in
the Main Street America program and its efforts to implement proven downtown
development strategies. He referenced other Ohio communities, including Hamilton and
Troy, as examples of successful downtown revitalization achieved through strong
partnerships between local governments and Main Street organizations. Mr. Lauro noted
Middletown’s existing assets, including anchor businesses and cultural venues, and
emphasized that continued support for small businesses is essential to sustaining
downtown vitality, particularly in light of upcoming development projects such as the
Manchester project. He stated that a strong, active downtown business environment is
necessary to support residential and commercial growth and prevent new development
from becoming isolated. Mr. Lauro further noted that Downtown Middletown
Incorporated supports small business growth through grants and assistance programs,
including funding he has personally received for his business. He urged Council to
continue supporting and partnering with DMI to ensure long-term downtown stability and
success.

Adam Hunter

Adam Hunter, 5232 South Dixie, Middletown, Ohio, addressed Council as the chief
executive operator of the Old Glory Retirement Foundation, a nonprofit focused on
retiring American flags and preserving flag etiquette traditions. Mr. Hunter stated that
the organization is working to revitalize a long-standing practice of respectfully retiring
American flags and is coordinating with local committees to support the Middletown
Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades. He described ongoing efforts to educate youth
on flag etiquette in partnership with organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts. Mr. Hunter also announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record during
the upcoming Fourth of July celebration in honor of the 250th anniversary of American
independence, involving the retirement of approximately 50,000 American flags at
Horsepower Farm. He noted coordination efforts with local industry partners, including
Cleveland Cliffs, for the manufacture and donation of a fire ring for the event, and stated
that the organization has already collected over 19,000 flags from multiple veterans and
civic organizations within a 50-mile radius. Mr. Hunter requested assistance in
connecting with city event coordination staff to advance planning efforts and continue
organizing logistics for the project.

COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mr. Lolli

Mr. Lolli began with lighthearted comments acknowledging “Star Wars Day” and “May
the Fourth be with you,” followed by a related remark for “bourbon and whiskey
connoisseurs” for May 5th. He also extended birthday wishes to the son of the City
Manager Combs and noted that she was absent to spend time with her family for the
occasion. Mr. Lolli then commented on the return of flags downtown honoring military
veterans, expressing appreciation for City staff, including event coordination and public
works personnel, for their efforts in reinstalling the flags. He stated that the display was
a positive tribute to veterans and their families and expressed support for the initiative.

Mrs. Carter

Mrs. Carter reported attending an event on April 17 honoring “history makers,” during
which rooms at the event center were named in recognition of honorees. She expressed
appreciation for the event center staff and commended them for their work in hosting
the event, stating that they did an excellent job. Mrs. Carter concluded her remarks by
offering thanks.

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MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

Mr. West

Mr. West echoed prior comments in appreciation of the event center staff, noting their
continued strong performance and expressing gratitude for their work in supporting
community events. Mr. West also extended well wishes in recognition of Mother’s Day,
thanking mothers for their contributions and service to families and the community.

Mr. Mulligan

Mr. Mulligan thanked Keep Middletown Beautiful and city staff for hosting the April 25th
Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations, noting that more than 200 residents participated
in cleanup activities, park maintenance, and tree planting efforts across the community.
He encouraged continued resident involvement in future environmental stewardship
activities. Mr. Mulligan also reported attending the Care in the Air Gala at Dayton Airport,
hosted by the Charitable Foundations of Premier Health hospitals, which highlighted the
service of CareFlight and its life-saving impact across the Miami Valley region. He noted
that the City of Middletown’s contribution to the effort helped support regional
fundraising initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Mulligan attended a Boy Scout court of honor
ceremony recognizing Eagle Scout achievements from Troop 20, including a project
completed at the Butler County Warbirds Museum at the Middletown airport, and
commended the accomplishments of local youth and their contributions to the
community.

Ms. Slamka

Ms. Slamka addressed Council with a series of updates and community announcements.
She began with light remarks referencing “May the Fourth” and “May the Fifth” and
offered appreciation for prior comments recognizing Mother’s Day. Ms. Slamka then
provided information regarding the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Annual Action Plan for the period May 2026 through April 2027, noting that the draft
was available for public review and comment through May 8 via email or written
submission to the Community and Economic Development Department. She thanked
the Warren County Commissioners for their support of the Renaissance Project and
expressed appreciation for city staff, both past and present, for their work on the
initiative. Ms. Slamka also recognized the City’s Finance Department, led by Finance
Director Samantha Zimmerman, for receiving the Government Finance Officers
Association Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 39th consecutive year.
Additionally, she highlighted several upcoming community events, including
performances at the Performing Arts Academy, programming at the Sorg Opera House,
the Dream League opening day parade, Mother’s Day activities at the Middletown Open
Air Market, and various concerts and fundraisers in downtown Middletown. Ms. Slamka
concluded by encouraging residents to participate in local boards, volunteer
opportunities, and community activities, emphasizing civic engagement and collective
responsibility for the city’s well-being.

CITY MANAGER
REPORTS

Law Director Alex Ewing invited representatives from Downtown Middletown, Inc. to the
podium to provide an update to Council. Jeff Payne and board chair Kelsey Singer
presented on the organization’s structure, activities, and initiatives. Mr. Payne stated
that Downtown Middletown, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 2011 and a
certified Main Street program since 2013, operating under the Main Street America
framework to support downtown revitalization. He noted that the organization is
volunteer-driven and focused on improving quality of life and economic vitality in
downtown Middletown, defined as the Central Avenue corridor from the railroad to the
river, guided by the 2017 downtown strategic plan. Ms. Singer explained that the
organization operates with a 15-member board and has recently updated its structure
to include two city-appointed representatives—one city employee and one Council
representative—as part of a proposed agreement with the City. She further described
Downtown Middletown, Inc.’s participation in the statewide Heritage Ohio Main Street
program and its committee-based structure supporting downtown development. Ms.
Singer outlined upcoming initiatives for 2026, including new business education courses
designed to support entrepreneurs with topics such as social media marketing, business
fundamentals, and pre-lease planning, with the goal of reducing business turnover and
strengthening downtown economic stability. She reported that the organization is
launching facade grant and mural programs as part of its design initiatives, including a
planned mural on the White Dog building intended to reflect Middletown’s identity. She
also noted strong participation in promotional programming, including the Women’s
Wine and Chocolate Walk, which has exceeded prior-year ticket sales, and emphasized
continued demand for family-friendly events. Ms. Singer highlighted the “Merry Market”
initiative, which activated a vacant storefront by hosting multiple vendors and resulted
in several participants securing permanent leases or moving into downtown storefronts,
contributing to vacancy reduction and increased business activity. She reported that
Downtown Middletown, Inc. tracked more than 5,000 volunteer hours in 2025, valued
at approximately $167,000, along with over 58,000 downtown visitors and more than
$1 million in estimated economic impact from events and programming. She also noted

DOWNTOWN
MIDDLETOWN INC.

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MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

the organization hosted more than 30 promotional and civic events, including First
Fridays, Thunderfest, Dog Days, Small Business Saturday, and Pink Friday, with strong
community engagement. Ms. Singer further described additional initiatives, including an
upper-story revitalization grant program supporting residential development above
downtown storefronts, and partnerships generating more than $400,000 in combined
value through grants, in-kind donations, and volunteer contributions. She explained the
organization’s funding model, based on a three-pillar approach consisting of community
contributions, event revenue, and government support, and stated that city funding is
allocated to both event programming and operational costs such as staffing,
membership dues, and administrative expenses. Ms. Singer concluded by encouraging
continued community involvement through volunteering, attending events, supporting
local businesses, and participating in committees, and expressed appreciation for
Council’s ongoing partnership in downtown revitalization efforts.
Council members expressed appreciation to Kelsey Singer and other Downtown
Middletown, Inc. representatives for their presentation and ongoing work in downtown
revitalization. One council member stated support for proposed legislation to fund
Downtown Middletown, Inc. under a two-year agreement, noting that it would provide
financial stability and allow the organization to focus on strategic initiatives and
coordination of volunteer efforts. Appreciation was also expressed for Ms. Singer’s
leadership as board chair and for the inclusion of additional city representatives on the
board to improve coordination between the organization and the City. Council members
commented positively on Downtown Middletown, Inc.’s reported event success,
including increased participation in the Women’s Wine and Chocolate Walk, and
acknowledged the organization’s broader role in supporting downtown as a central driver
of the City’s vitality and visitor activity.
CITY MANAGER
REPORTS

YMCA MONSOON BAY
AQUATIC CENTER

Law Director Alex Ewing invited Tyler Roberts to the podium to provide a report on the
YMCA Monsoon Bay Aquatic Center. Mr. Roberts expressed appreciation to Council for
the opportunity to present and stated that the organization is excited to open the facility
to the public. Mr. Roberts provided an overview of the completed aquatic center, noting
that final landscaping and signage installations were still in progress over the next 7–10
days, while the remainder of the facility is complete and operational. He described the
park’s layout, including the entrance, pool deck, shade structures, seating areas, and
expanded open green space intended for family use and potential future amenities such
as playground equipment and activity areas. He highlighted key features of the aquatic
center, including a zero-depth entry pool, diving and slide areas, shaded seating
structures, restroom and rinse facilities, and a concession stand offering affordable food
and beverages for visitors. He noted that additional shade structures may be evaluated
after the first season based on community usage and feedback. Mr. Roberts reported
that water systems are operational, chemicals are balanced, and the facility is ready
pending final approval of state health permitting, with minor revisions submitted to the
Ohio Department of Health related to entry access compliance. He acknowledged
collaboration with city staff, including the fire and health departments, as well as the
project’s architect and contractor team, stating that their assistance ensured
compliance with applicable codes and smooth project completion. He announced that
the ribbon cutting for the Monsoon Bay Aquatic Center is scheduled for May 18 at 10:00
a.m., with participation from Rosa Parks Elementary School students, who are currently
involved in a “Safety Around Water” program and are expected to be among the first
youth users of the facility. Mr. Roberts concluded by thanking City staff and Council for
their support in bringing the project to completion and expressed enthusiasm for
opening the facility to the community and seeing residents enjoy the new aquatic center.
Council members thanked Mr. Roberts for the presentation and asked follow-up
questions regarding the facility’s opening schedule and seasonal operations. In
response, Mr. Roberts confirmed that the aquatic center’s opening day for general public
use will be the Saturday prior to Memorial Day, with the ribbon cutting scheduled earlier
on May 18. He stated that the typical operating season will run through Labor Day, with
staff aiming to extend operations beyond Labor Day when weather conditions permit,
particularly during the first year of operation as usage patterns are evaluated. In
response to additional questions, Mr. Roberts confirmed that a long-term pricing
agreement has been established with the City for the next 20 years, setting admission
at $5 per day for youth and $10 per day for adults. He noted that this pricing structure
is intended to maintain affordability while supporting ongoing operations of the facility.

CONSENT
AGENDA

Approve City Council Minutes of April 21, 2026
Receive and file the following board and commission minutes:
Airport Commission- December 15, 2025 and February 2, 2026

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MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

Civil Service Commission- February 19 and March 19, 2026
Confirm the appointment of Jason Lynch to the position of Assistant Public Works
Superintendent in the Department of Public Works & Utilities.
Confirm the conditional appointment of Cana Wilson to the position of Event Host in the
Community & Economic Development Department.
Receive and file an Oath of Office for Joshua Cornett
Mr. West moved to approve the issues and actions listed on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Lolli
seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Mr. West, Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs.
Carter.
MOTION AGENDA
Purchase 5 Pickup
Trucks in the amount
of $253,884 for Fire,
Electronics, and
Water Maintenance
Divisions.

To approve the purchase of five Pickup Trucks from Whiteside of St Clairsville, Inc., of St.
Clairsville, OH in the amount of $253,884 for the following division Fire, Electronics, and
Water Maintenance Divisions.

Approve a 2 year
Agreement with DMI
in the amount of
$50,000.00 per year.

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a two-year agreement with Downtown
Middletown, Inc. to continue their programming and services in the amount of $50,000.00
per year.

Mr. West moved to approve the purchase of five Pickup Trucks from Whiteside of St.
Clairsville, Inc., of St. Clairsville, OH in the amount of $253,884 for the following division
Fire, Electronics, and Water Maintenance Divisions. Mr. Lolli seconded. Motion carried.
Ayes: Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs. Carter, Mr. West.,

Mr. Mulligan moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a two-year agreement with
Downtown Middletown, Inc. to continue their programming and services in the amount of
$50,000.00 per year. Mr. West seconded.
Mr. Lolli expressed appreciation for Downtown Middletown, Inc.’s partnership with the City
and acknowledged its role in supporting downtown revitalization and economic activity.
However, he stated concerns regarding the proposed two-year funding agreement, citing
financial constraints within the City’s budget. He referenced upcoming and ongoing fiscal
pressures, including the use of approximately $500,000 in general fund reserves for a
downtown-related roof project on North Main Street, as well as approximately $4.7 million
already drawn from reserves in the 2026 budget, primarily due to personnel-related
expenditures. Mr. Lolli also cited additional financial commitments and obligations,
including the broader downtown redevelopment projects such as the three-group
agreement and a $15 million project, noting that final costs may exceed current estimates.
He further stated that other organizations typically receive annual funding requests and
expressed concern that approving a multi-year agreement could establish an unintended
precedent for similar requests. Based on these considerations, Mr. Lolli stated he was not
comfortable with a two-year agreement and recommended that the proposal be modified
to a one-year term so that funding decisions could be reviewed annually in light of the City’s
financial conditions.
Mr. Lolli moved to amend the motion to make it a one–year agreement. Mr. West seconded.
Council entered discussion on the motion to amend the agreement term. Discussion
addressed the history and structure of Downtown Middletown, Inc. The organization
originated from the City’s 2000 Comprehensive Plan to support downtown revitalization
and was intended to be funded through a Special Improvement District (SID), which was
never established. As a result, the organization does not have a dedicated funding source
and relies on City support and other contributions. Council also discussed the proposed
two-year term. Supporters stated it would provide stability, reduce annual negotiations, and
allow for longer-term planning. It was noted that Council would retain oversight and that a
longer term could support continuity in downtown initiatives. Opposition cited financial
constraints and expressed a preference for annual review of funding commitments. Council
concluded discussion by weighing fiscal oversight against organizational stability in
considering the amendment. Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development
Jacob Schulte clarified that Article 10 of the agreement provides that either party may
terminate the agreement at their convenience and without cause upon 30 days’ written
notice to the other party. He further noted that, in addition to the $50,000 annual
contribution, the City will meet quarterly with Downtown Middletown, Inc. to review its
budget, upcoming plans, and scheduled events. These quarterly reviews are intended to
ensure alignment with City staff and Council priorities moving forward.
Mr. Lolli rescinded his motion to amend and it fell to the floor.

Page 18 of 121

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

The motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into a two-year agreement with
Downtown Middletown, Inc. to continue their programming and services in the amount of
$50,000.00 per year carried. Ayes: Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs. Carter, Mr. West, Mr.
Mulligan.
RECESS

At 6:58 p.m., Mayor Slamka called for a brief recess.

RETURN

At 7:09 p.m., Mayor Slamka called the meeting back to order and the meeting resumed.

LEGISLATION
Ord. No. O2026-24
Amend Contract with
CentralSquare
Technologies, LLC

Ordinance No. O2026-24, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing an
amendment to a contract with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for software for the public
safety department and declaring an emergency was read.

Ord. No. O2026-25
MOU’s Juneteenth

Mr. West moved to approve Ordinance No. O2026-24, an ordinance establishing a
procedure for and authorizing an amendment to a contract with CentralSquare
Technologies, LLC for software for the public safety department and declaring an
emergency. Mr. Lolli seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Mr. Lolli, Mrs. Carter, Mr. West, Mr.
Mulligan, Ms. Slamka.
Ordinance No. O2026-25, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into
memorandums of understanding with the City’s bargaining units to add Juneteenth as a
holiday was read for the second time.
Mr. West moved to approve Ordinance No. O2026-25, an ordinance authorizing the city
manager to enter into memorandums of understanding with the City’s bargaining units to
add Juneteenth as a holiday. Mrs. Carter seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Mrs. Carter, Mr.
West, Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli. Mrs. Carter.

Res. No. R2026-12
Terminate Salvation
Army Lease &
Purchase Building at
Damon Park

Res. No. R2026-13
Renaissance Pointe Credit Enhancement

Resolution No. R2026-12, a resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate the
ground lease between the City and The Salvation Army for a portion of Damon Park and to
purchase The Salvation Army’s improvements thereto was read for the second time.
Mr. West moved to approve Resolution No. R2026-12, a resolution authorizing the city
manager to terminate the ground lease between the City and The Salvation Army for a
portion of Damon Park and to purchase The Salvation Army’s improvements thereto. Mrs.
Carter seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Mr. West, Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs.
Carter.
Resolution No. R2026-13, a resolution declaring the intent of the city to pledge twelve
million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000) as a credit enhancement for bond
service payments for the Warren County Port Authority's bond issuance in support of the
construction of a multi-purpose event center at Renaissance Pointe, subject to a future
agreement with the Warren County Port Authority and Warren County and declaring an
emergency was read.
Mr. Lolli moved to approve Resolution No. R2026-13, a resolution declaring the intent of
the city to pledge twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000) as a credit
enhancement for bond service payments for the Warren County Port Authority's bond
issuance in support of the construction of a multi-purpose event center at Renaissance
Pointe, subject to a future agreement with the Warren County Port Authority and Warren
County and declaring an emergency. Mr. West seconded.
Mr. Lolli stated that the Renaissance Point project represents a significant development
for the City of Middletown and Warren County, describing it as a major step forward in
advancing the broader project, including the arena component. He noted that the project
originated approximately five years ago through early discussions among interested parties
and has progressed to its current stage through continued collaboration, including support
from the Warren County Commissioners. Mr. Lolli stated that the project would help
distinguish the Middletown I-75 interchange from others along the Cincinnati–Dayton
corridor by creating a destination-oriented development, rather than a traditional mix of
retail, restaurant, and residential uses. He highlighted the planned arena as a key feature
of the development, noting its intended use for hockey and development-level leagues for
players seeking advancement to collegiate or professional levels. He concluded by
expressing appreciation for the Warren County Commissioners’ financial support and their
role in advancing the project’s financial structure.

Page 19 of 121

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

Mr. Mulligan expressed support for the Renaissance Point development, noting it has been
in progress for more than five years. He stated that the project is expected to generate
tourism and sports tourism for Middletown, while also providing amenities and
employment opportunities for residents. He further commented on the anticipated “halo
effect” of increased economic activity, including additional spending in Middletown and
potential spillover development across the highway into the Town Mall district. Mr. Mulligan
described the project as a significant benefit for the City and thanked the Warren County
Board of Commissioners for their financial support, as well as the Warren County Port
Authority for its role in overseeing the project. He concluded by expressing anticipation for
the project’s groundbreaking and future development.
Ms. Slamka also expressed appreciation to the Warren County Commissioners and the
Warren County Port Authority for their support of the project. She further thanked City staff,
both past and present, for their work over the past five years in advancing the project to its
current stage.
Motion carried. Ayes: Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs. Carter, Mr. West.
Ord. No. O2026-26
Contract with E Lee
Construction (2 N
Main Roof)

Ordinance No. O2026-26, an ordinance authorizing a contract with E. Lee Construction,
Inc. to repair and replace the roof at 2 N. Main Street and declaring an emergency was
read.

Ord. No. O2026-27
Bryx - Additional
Funds

Ordinance No. O2026-27, an ordinance authorizing additional funds for the contract with
Bryx, Inc. for the fire station alerting system and declaring an emergency was read with no
action requested until May 19, 2026.

Ord. No. O2026-28
CDBG Funds - Action
Plan 2026

Ordinance No. O2026-28, an ordinance authorizing the submission of an application for
federal assistance, an action plan and a projected use of funds, under Title I of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, for Program Year 2026 was read
for the first time.

UNFINISHED
BUSINESS

The City Council discussed proposed changes to the citizen comment guidelines, focusing
on three main areas: time limits, who is eligible to speak, and procedural requirements.
Members considered reducing individual speaking time from four minutes to a
compromise of three and a half minutes, with a total public comment period of roughly 30
to 35 minutes or up to about 10 speakers, while also allowing council to extend time by
motion if needed. On eligibility, there was broad agreement that speakers should have a
connection to Middletown, but the originally proposed requirement for proof of residency
was largely set aside as impractical; instead, speakers would state their address and affirm
residency. The discussion expanded to include allowing business owners within the city
and representatives or directors of local nonprofit or civic organizations to speak, even if
they do not personally reside in Middletown. Council also clarified that individuals may not
speak on behalf of others who are not present, and that outside individuals or
organizations would generally need to request a presentation through the city manager’s
office rather than speak during public comment. Staff indicated they would revise the
proposed policy language based on the discussion and bring it back for further
consideration at a future meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:40 p.m., Mr. West moved to adjourn to executive session under the authority of O.R.C.
121.22 (G) (8) To consider confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific
business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements
of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political
subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both
of the following conditions apply:
(1) The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance
that is to be provided or administered under any provision of Chapter 715., 725., 1724.,
or 1728. or sections 701.07, 3735.67 to 3735.70, 5709.40 to 5709.43, 5709.61 to
5709.69, 5709.73 to 5709.75, or 5709.77 to 5709.81 of the Revised Code, or that
involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are
directly related to an economic development project.
(2) A unanimous quorum of the public body determines, by a roll call vote, that the
executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible
investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic

Mr. West moved to approve Ordinance No. O2026-26, an ordinance authorizing a contract
with E. Lee Construction, Inc. to repair and replace the roof at 2 N. Main Street and
declaring an emergency. Mr. Lolli seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli,
Mrs. Carter, Mr. West, Mr. Mulligan.

Page 20 of 121

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

May 5, 2026

development project. Mr. Lolli seconded. Motion carried. Ayes: Mrs. Carter, Mr. West, Mr.
Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli.
RETURN

At 7:58 p.m., Mrs. Carter moved to return to regular session. Mr. West seconded. Motion
carried. Ayes: Mr. West, Mr. Mulligan, Ms. Slamka, Mr. Lolli, Mrs. Carter.

ADJOURN

At 7:58 p.m., the meeting was declared adjourned until the regular meeting on May 19
2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
______________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Attest: ___________________________

Page 21 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 14, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – MAINTENANCE WORKER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of NOAH ARNOLD to the position
of Maintenance Worker in the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Stormwater
Maintenance Division. He will fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Blake Craycraft.
Mr. Arnold will be assigned to Range PW-3, Step A, which provides a salary of $22.74
hourly. The appointment is conditional upon the candidate successfully passing the
required background and medical evaluation.
/cs

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Scott Tadych, Public Works Director
Charlie Anderson, Public Works Superintendent
Ethan Harness, Public Works Superintendent
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg5/19/26

Page 22 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 14, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – MAINTENANCE WORKER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of GAGE CRASE to the position of
Maintenance Worker in the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Water
Maintenance Division. This is a new position in the 2026 budget.
Mr. Crase will be assigned to Range PW-3, Step A, which provides a salary of $22.74
hourly. The appointment is conditional upon the candidate successfully passing the
required background and medical evaluation.
/cs

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Scott Tadych, Public Works Director
Charlie Anderson, Public Works Superintendent
Ethan Harness, Public Works Superintendent
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg5/19/26

Page 23 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 14, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – MAINTENANCE WORKER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of CORY OSBORNE to the position
of Maintenance Worker in the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Water
Maintenance Division. He will fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Evan Rainey.
Mr. Osborne will be assigned to Range PW-3, Step A, which provides a salary of $22.74
hourly. The appointment is conditional upon the candidate successfully passing the
required background and medical evaluation.
/cs

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Scott Tadych, Public Works Director
Charlie Anderson, Public Works Superintendent
Ethan Harness, Public Works Superintendent
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg5/19/26

Page 24 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 14, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – MAINTENANCE WORKER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of GRADY PAGE to the position of
Maintenance Worker in the Department of Public Works and Utilities, Sewer
Maintenance Division. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Walter Boone.
Mr. Page will be assigned to Range PW-3, Step A, which provides a salary of $22.74
hourly. The appointment is conditional upon the candidate successfully passing the
required background and medical evaluation.
/cs

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Scott Tadych, Public Works Director
Charlie Anderson, Public Works Superintendent
Ethan Harness, Public Works Superintendent
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg5/19/26

Page 25 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 29, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – PATROL OFFICER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of LOGAN DOOLEY to the position
of Patrol Officer in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. Mr. Dooley is
currently a Corrections Officer within the Division. He was selected from the eligibility list
as a result of Civil Service testing procedures. He will fill the vacancy created by the
resignation of Brady Huffman.
Mr. Dooley will be assigned to Cadet. According to Section VII, Article 15, he will remain
at his same rate of pay. The appointment is conditional on the candidate passing the
required medical and background evaluation.

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Earl Nelson, Police Chief
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg 5/19/2026

Page 26 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES

April 22, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT –ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
We are recommending the conditional appointment of LOGAN VAUGHN to the position of
Zoning Administrator in the Community & Economic Development Department. He will fill
the vacancy created by the appointment of James Fox.
Mr. Vaughn will be assigned to Range 183, Step C, which provides a salary of $2,321.08
bi-weekly, $60,348.08 annually. The appointment is conditional upon the candidate
successfully passing the required background and medical evaluation.

/cs

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Thomas Smith, Community & Economic Development Director
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg5/19/2026

Page 27 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION

May 8, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – COMPUTER TECHNICIAN
We are recommending the appointment of KRISTOPHER STIDD to the position of
Computer Technician in the Information Systems Department. This is a new position that
was created in the 2026 budget.
Mr. Stidd will be assigned to Salary Range 184, Step D, which provides a salary of
$2,321.08 biweekly, $60,348.08 annually. The appointment is conditional upon the
candidate passing the required background and medical evaluation.

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Troy Anderton, Information Systems Director
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
File

Ccmtg 5/19/2026

Page 28 of 121

HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION

May 8, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – POLICE RECORDS CLERK
We are recommending the appointment of LYNN CRANK to the position of Police Records
Clerk in the Police Department. Ms. Crank is currently a Dispatcher within the department.
She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Cheryl Linkous.
Ms. Crank will be assigned to PC2, Step C, which provides a salary of $1,840.65 bi-weekly,
$47,856.85 annually. The effective date of this appointment is May 20, 2026.

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Earl Nelson, Police Chief
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
File

Ccmtg 5/19/2026

Page 29 of 121

Human Resources
May 12, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Megan Ellis, Human Resources Manager

SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT – DISPATCHER
We are recommending the conditional appointment of ROBERT CAVIN to the position of
Dispatcher in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. Mr. Cavin was selected
from the eligibility list as a result of Civil Service testing procedures. He will fill the vacancy
created by the appointment of Lynn Crank.
Mr. Cavin will be assigned to Range PC-7, Step AA, which provides a salary of $1,969.06
bi-weekly, $51,195.46 annually. The appointment is conditional on the candidate passing
the required background and medical evaluation.

Amy Schenck, Clerk of Council
Earl Nelson, Police Chief
Human Resources
Finance (Payroll)
file

ccmtg 5/19/2026

Page 30 of 121

For the Business Meeting of May 19, 2026

May 12, 2026
TO:
ATTN:
FROM:

City Council
Ashley Combs, City Manager
Claire Fetters Binegar, City Planner

SUBJECT:

Final Plat – The Preserve at Roosevelt Ridge, Section 2

APPLICANT/ENGINEER:
WYCO Consulting, Inc.
10 Stadia Drive
Franklin, OH 45005

PROPERTY OWNER:
Ohio Regional Constructors LLC
1046 Summit Drive
Middletown, OH 45042

PARCEL IDs:
Q6531043000030
REQUEST:
A request by WYCO Consulting, Inc., on behalf of property owner Ohio Regional
Constructors LLC, for approval of The Preserve at Roosevelt Ridge, Section 2 Final Plat.
PROPERTY BACKGROUND:
The Preserve at Roosevelt Ridge development proposes a total of 20 single family lots
with 16 of the single family homes to be created with the approval of Section 2 final plat.
The zoning district is R-3P, Planned Development District, which was approved with the
approval of Ordinance No. O2023-48 on July 5, 2025, effective August 5, 2025.
Following approval of the preliminary development plan and corresponding map
amendment, the final development plan was approved by Planning Commission on
September 13, 2023.
The approved final development plan established the following minimum site
development standards within the planned development district:
• Front yard setback: 35’
• Side yard setback: 5’
• Rear yard setback: 40’
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes review and approval of the final plat for Section 2 of the major
subdivision which equates to a total of 5.5955 acres. The final plat of Section 2 creates
a total of 17 parcels: 16 parcels for the single-family residential dwellings approved in
the final development plan (3.8397 acres) and 1 parcel for stormwater detention
(1.0978 acres). The remaining acreage of the development, 0.6580 acres, is to be
dedicated as right-of-way with a public street to be named Langster Circle with a 50’
width of right-of-way.
The final plat will feature a number of easements, including a 10’ Utility Easement, a 15’
Drainage & Utility Easement, a 20’ Access & Utility Easement, and incorporate existing
10’ Ameritech Easement and Ameritech Easement.

Page 31 of 121

The proposed final plat aligns with the approved final development plan.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
The final plat was approved by Planning Commission on February 14, 2024. Following
approval of the proposed plat by the City Planning Commission, the plat must be adopted
and endorsed by City Council prior to recording.
ALTERNATIVES:
Reject the final plat, in which the final plat is not able to be recorded and the
construction of the single-family dwellings cannot continue.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY:
Consent Agenda.
REVIEW CRITERIA FOR MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS:
In order to approve a major subdivision, the Planning Commission and City Council, as
appropriate, shall determine the following:
1. That the major subdivision complies with all applicable provisions of this code;
2. That the major subdivision does not conflict with other regulations, plans, or
policies of the City;
3. That applicable review agencies have no objections that cannot be resolved by
the applicant; and
4. That the final plat and construction drawings conform to the approved preliminary
plat, if submitted and approved.
ATTACHMENTS:
Final plat and supporting documentation.

Page 32 of 121

Page 33 of 121

Page 34 of 121

MOTION
AGENDA

Page 35 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the business meeting of May 19th, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 4, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Jacob Schulte, Assistant CED Director
Tax Incentive Review Committee (TIRC) Report and Recommendations

PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with the recommendations of the Tax
Incentive Review Council (TIRC) regarding the performance of tax incentives during the 2024
calendar year.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.85 requires that the legislative authority of a city that grants tax
exemptions to create a TIRC. The purpose of this body is to review the status and performance of
all agreements granting exemption from property taxation and all tax increment financing (TIF)
districts, as of the end of the previous year. On the basis of this review, the TIRC must submit to
City Council written recommendations for continuation, modification, or cancellation of each
agreement or exemption. TIRC typically meets once a year to perform these tasks with the most
recent meeting being August 25th, 2025. The TIRC membership includes County Auditors,
representatives of affected school districts, City of Middletown staff, elected officials, and
interested citizens.
The TIRC reviewed all Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts, Enterprise Zones (EZ), and
Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) Agreements.
The TIRC voted and recommended continuing all five CRA Agreements, which include:
Torchlight Pass, L & R Montgomery/Spoken, SimonCRE & O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mike Allen Real
Estate Holdings LLC/BMW, and MLH Developers.
The TIRC voted and recommended continuing all six EZ agreements, which include: Cleveland
Cliffs Research, Ohio Power Partners, USRF OH Middletown LLC, Knust LLC, and MADE
Industrial Park. Staff will again be providing a compliance letter to Knust LLC regarding their
limited payroll and job creation numbers respective to the agreement.
The TIRC voted and recommended continuing all eleven TIF districts remaining in effect, these
includes: New Towne Mall, Renaissance South, Renaissance North, Towne Mall/Hospital,
Sawyers Mill Project, Manchester Road, Miller Road North, Miller Road South, East End/Towne
Blvd, North Union, and Arena.
Due to the cyber outage and personnel transitions, this administrative recommendation was
delayed. All recommendations were continuances and there were no changes to act upon.

Page 36 of 121

ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives include the following:
1. Accept the recommendations of the TIRC.
2. Do not accept the recommendations of the TIRC. City Council must recommend to
continue, amend, or cancel abatements and/or TIF districts.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
None.
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
Motion Agenda
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Minutes from August 25th, 2025 meeting of the TIRC

Page 37 of 121

TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL

City of Middletown Annual Review of Enterprise Zone (EZ) Agreements,
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts, and
Community Reinvestment Area (CRA)s
Reporting Year 2024
Friday, August 25, 2025
1:00 P.M.
One Donham Plaza, Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT
JULIE LEPSKY, Butler County Deputy Auditor
MATT NOLAN, Warren County Auditor
KEVIN HAWLEY, Franklin City Schools
VERLENA STWART, Middletown Resident
PAUL LOLLI, City of Middletown Council Member
SAMANTHA ZIMMERMAN, City of Middletown, Finance Director
ASHLEY COMBS, City of Middletown, City Manager
KATRINA HILLARD, Warren County Career Center
PAUL CARPENTER, CFO, Butler Tech
STEPHEN HIGHTOWER, JR., Middletown Resident
GUESTS PRESENT
ELIZABETH SLAMKA, City of Middletown Mayor
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
JACOB SCHULTE, City of Middletown, C&ED Assistant Director
MICHALLA PERKINS, City of Middletown, C&ED Program Manager
MEMBERS ABSENT
RANDY BERTRAM, Middletown City Schools Treasurer
KAREN ERVIN, Lebanon City Schools
CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS
Jacob Schulte called the meeting to order at 1:04pm. Ms. Lepsky was identified as the
rotating Chair to the 2025 meeting. Mr. Schulte then presented to call the roll of
members.
MINUTES
August 30, 2024
Ms. Lepsky asked for a motion to approve the minutes from 2024. Ms. Stewart moved
to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Nolan seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
1

Page 38 of 121

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA AGREEMENTS
Mr. Schulte gave a brief update on each CRA agreement as well as the Staff
recommendation to continue all CRA agreements. A supplemental spreadsheet of each
agreement was also provided.
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA
With no further discussion, Ms. Lepsky entertained a motion by Mr. Lolli to continue
all CRA agreements. Ms. Stewart seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENTS
Mr. Schulte gave a brief overview of each EZ Agreement presented on the
supplemental spreadsheet. Special note was made of Knust LLC’s job creation and
payroll with respect to their incentive duration and compliance window. It was then
recommended by staff to continue all EZ agreements.
VOTING
ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENTS
Butler County – Ms. Lepsky entertained a motion by Mr. Lolli to continue the EZ
agreements. Mr. Hightower seconded. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Warren County – Ms. Lepsky entertained a motion by Mr. Lolli to continue the EZ
agreement. Mr. Hightower seconded. With all in favor, the motion carried.
TAX INCENTIVE FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICTS
Spreadsheet of each TIF agreement was presented with a brief overview by Mr.
Schulte. A special note was made regarding the six terminated TIF Districts within
Butler County, Middletown City School District. The staff recommendation was to
continue all remaining TIF Districts. After an adequate review, a motion was placed
by Mr. Lolli and seconded Ms. Stewart to begin roll call votes of the TIF Districts.
VOTING
TAX INCENTIVE FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICTS
Butler County – Middletown School District
Roll call was held with the respective jurisdictions. The motion carried unanimously.
Warren County – Franklin School District
Roll call was held with the respective jurisdictions. The motion carried unanimously.
Warren County – Middletown School District and Franklin School District
Roll call was held with the respective jurisdictions. The motion carried unanimously.

Page 39 of 121

Warren County – Middletown School District and Lebanon School District
Roll call was held with the respective jurisdictions. The motion carried unanimously.
Warren County – Lebanon School District
Roll call was held with the respective jurisdictions. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further comments, Mr. Schulte thanked everyone for their time and
apologized for the brevity due to the cyber outage. Ms. Lepsky entertained a motion
to adjourn by Mr. Lolli at 1:21pm.

Page 40 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 1

Page 41 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-27
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE CONTRACT
WITH BRYX, INC. FOR THE FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, City Council authorized a contract with Bryx, Inc. for the purchase
of the alerting system for the new fire stations by Ordinance No. O2023-57 on July 18,
2023; and
WHEREAS, the service and maintenance fees for 2026, 2027 and 2028
($2,500 per station per year / $10,000.00 annually) were not included in the original
legislation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
The Finance Director is hereby authorized and directed to pay an additional
sum not to exceed $30,000.00 from the Fire Station Levy Fund (Fund # 263).
Section 2
This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: so that
the 2026 service and maintenance fees can be paid as soon as practicable and shall
be in full force and effect from the date of its adoption.

____________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Adopted: _______________

Attest: ___________________
Clerk of City Council
H:\Law\leg\2026 Leg\O Bryx – Additional Funds

Page 42 of 121

STAFF REPORT
For the business meeting of May 5th, 2026

________________________________________________________________________
DATE: April 17th, 2026
TO: Ashley Combs, City Manager
FROM: Kayla Carle, Purchasing Agent
Fire Station Alerting System
PURPOSE

To request authorization to pay for the annual service and maintenance fees for the fire station
alerting system from Bryx, INC. of Rochester, NY in the amount not to exceed $30,000 for years
2026-2028.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
A fire station alerting system (FSA) is a system in which a computer aided dispatch software
(CAD), automatically sends an alert to a fire department via announcements and lights, while also
sharing necessary information. FSA systems are integrated into a fire station providing real-time
situational awareness. The systems are required to comply with National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards 1221 and 1710. Our current system does meet any NFPA standards.
Customizable alert sounds, Increased volume over time (heart friendly), CAD text to speech,
Multi-zone capable, LED Signs, Doorbell notification, Automatic Tone Backup, Triggers lights
and strobes, Customized alerts based on call type and a Mobile alerting application are all elements
of an FSA that we considered.
In July 2023, Council authorized a contract with Bryx, Inc. of Rochester, New York to install the
fire station alerting system; this included the first year of service and maintenance fees as well for
2025. This was authorized via Ordinance O2023-57. Service and maintenance fees for 2026-2028
were not included in the original action by Council and now require authorization. The service
and maintenance fees are $2,500 per station per year, totaling $10,000 annually. Bryx has
confirmed that pricing will not change for the duration of the contract. The Fire Alerting System
installation and implementation was completed by Bryx in 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There is sufficient funding in the 2026 Fire Station Levy budget for this service and maintenance
(263.212.52480). The total cost is $30,000.

Page 43 of 121

EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
2nd Reading Emergency – In order to avoid any service interruptions, a 2nd reading emergency is
requested to pay the service and maintenance fees as soon as possible.
cc:

Samantha Zimmerman, Finance Director
Troy Anderton, Information Systems Director
Brian Wright, Fire Chief
Stephen Ludwig, Assistant Fire Chief
Ben Bultman, Fire Captain

Page 44 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 2

Page 45 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-28
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, AN ACTION PLAN AND A PROJECTED USE OF
FUNDS, UNDER TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2026.
WHEREAS, Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974,
as amended, provides for a program of community development block grants; and
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown is an entitlement city as defined under said
Act, and is entitled to financial assistance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown, pursuant to the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, has held a public hearing which was open to
the public, to consider and obtain the views of the citizens of Middletown on community
development and housing needs; and
WHEREAS, the Annual Action Plan and Proposed Use of Funds comply with
previously enacted Consolidated Plan of the City; and
WHEREAS, said Application for Federal Assistance requires certain
certifications to be submitted along with and part of said Application;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler and Warren Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to submit an application,
including all understandings and certifications contained therein, to the fullest extent
of funding allowed and determined by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974,
as amended, to act as the authorized representative of the City of Middletown, and to
provide such additional information as may be required.
Section 2
The City Manager, Law Director and such other appropriate and responsible
officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the City of
Middletown such certifications as are necessary for the submission of said application
for Program Year 2026.

Page 46 of 121

Section 3
The City Manager is authorized to enter into the appropriate grant agreement(s)
with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and
agreements with sub-recipients of the grant funds, as necessary. All such agreements
shall be in a form and substance acceptable to the Law Director.
Section 4
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.

Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
1st Reading: ____________
2nd Reading: ____________
Adopted: ___________
Effective: __________

Attest: _____________________
Clerk of the City Council
H:\Law\leg\2026 Leg\O CDBG funds – action plan 2026

Page 47 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the business meeting of May 5, 2026

______________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 5, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Jacob Schulte, Assistant Director, CED

PREPARED BY:

Michalla Perkins, Program Manager, CED
Adoption of PY2026 Annual Action Plan for CDBG Funds

PURPOSE
To approve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) PY26 Annual Action Plan.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
The CDBG Annual Action Plan is submitted annually and outlines the specific projects and
programs to be funded in the upcoming year. It is a subset of the broader Consolidated Plan and
includes the specific allocation of CDBG funds, timelines, and measurable outcomes for each
project.
The four priorities outlined in the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan are:
1) Neighborhood revitalization, including improving public infrastructure, beautifying
neighborhoods, code enforcement and emergency repair in LMI neighborhoods.
2) Supportive services that provide opportunity for Middletown residents to thrive, including
services for children and youth, elderly, and wraparound services for persons experiencing
homelessness.
3) Economic development, including business growth and development and downtown
revitalization
4) Housing availability and affordability for LMI households including those who are unhoused.
The program year will start May 1, 2026 and run through April 30, 2027 with funds anticipated
to be released by HUD and available for reimbursement to subrecipients on or around August 1,
2026.
The public hearing for the PY 26 Annual Action Plan was held at the City Council meeting on
April 7, 2026. The following recipients are proposed to be funded per the plan presented to
Council:
Approximate funding amount for PY26
$695,797.00
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
$15,000.00
Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME)
$10,000.00
Community Building Institute
$79,369.00
Home Repair Program
$233,500.00
SELF Emergency Repair Program
$70,000.00
PARACHUTE Court Appointed Special Advocates
$9,000.00
Streetscape (downtown)
$139,769.00

Page 48 of 121

Planning/Program Administration

$139,159.00

ALTERNATIVESModify the Action Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Approval of the Annual Action plan will allow the City to receive approximately $695,797.00 in
CDBG funding for PY26.
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
Non-emergency

Page 49 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 3

Page 50 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-29
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR AND AUTHORIZING A
CONTRACT WITH CLAYTON PROPERTY SOLUTIONS FOR LAWNCARE AND
LANDSCAPING SERVICES AT THE EVENT CENTER OF MIDDLETOWN AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, staff obtained the three quotes below for the lawncare and
landscaping at the Event Center of Middletown (“Event Center”):
GroundsPRO, LLC
$14,280
Clayton Property Solutions $21,535
Grunder Landscaping Co. $44,720; and
WHEREAS, staff has recommended the quote provided by Clayton Property
Solutions (“Clayton”) as the best value rather than cost alone, and Clayton has an
established working relationship with the Event Center and has demonstrated
workmanship, reliability and responsiveness;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
The City Manager, without complying with the procedures of Chapter 735 of the
Revised Code, shall enter into a contract with Clayton for lawncare and landscaping at
the Event Center in accordance with the proposal on file with the City’s Purchasing
Agent.
Section 2
The Finance Director is authorized and directed to expend a sum not to exceed
$21,535.00 from the General Fund (Fund # 100).
Section 3
City Council hereby determines that the procedure to be followed in the award
and execution of the aforesaid contract shall consist solely of the procedure set forth in
this Ordinance and the provisions of Chapter 735 of the Revised Code shall not be
applicable to the award and execution of the aforesaid contract.

Page 51 of 121

Section 4
It is hereby determined that the subject matter of this legislation is not of a
general and permanent nature, does not provide for a public improvement, and does
not assess a tax or payment.
Section 5
This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: to
ensure timely payment for services and to prevent disruption of on-going maintenance,
and shall be in full force and effect from the date of its adoption.

____________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Adopted: _______________

Attest: ___________________
Clerk of City Council
H:\Law\leg\2026 Leg\O Contract with Clayton Property Solutions (Event Center Mowing)

Page 52 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the Business Meeting of May 19th, 2026

May 4th, 2026
TO:
FROM:

Ashley Combs, City Manager
Kayla Carle, Purchasing Agent

2026 Event Center Contract Mowing
PURPOSE
To request authorization for a contract with Clayton Property Solutions of Trenton, OH in an
amount not to exceed $21,535 for the 2026 mowing season.
BACKGROUND and FINDINGS
The Event Center is a newer parcel within the City that needs to be mowed throughout the
mowing season and are usually bid every three years. The Event Center was included in the
most recent Contract Mowing – Groups I through VII bid; however, the property needed added
specifications that were recognized after the bid opening. Three quotes were based on thirty-two
cuts and other various specifications for the 2026 season, although the number of cuts varies,
depending on weather and various other conditions.
Following quotes were received:
GroundsPRO, LLC – West Chester, OH
Clayton Property Solutions – Trenton, OH
Grunder Landscaping Co. – Miamisburg, OH

$14,280
$21,535
$44,720

Staff recommends that City Council approve a waiver of the competitive bidding process and
authorize the continuation of lawncare and landscaping services for the Event Center of
Middletown with Clayton Property Solutions.
Although three quotes were obtained and reviewed, Clayton Property Solutions provided a midrange cost proposal. However, the recommendation is based on best value rather than cost alone.
Clayton Property Solutions has an established working relationship with the Event Center and
has consistently demonstrated high-quality workmanship, reliability, and responsiveness. Their
services have contributed significantly to maintaining and enhancing the facility’s exterior
appearance and overall curb appeal.
A comparison of submitted quotes indicated variability among vendors. One proposal increased
substantially upon revision, while another decreased after reassessment of scope. In contrast,
Clayton Property Solutions maintained consistent pricing aligned with the Event Center’s actual
service needs. This consistency reflects their direct familiarity with the property and a clear

Page 53 of 121

understanding of the required scope of work, resulting in more accurate and dependable cost
projections.
Given their proven performance, pricing stability, and site-specific knowledge, staff believe that
continuing services with Clayton Property Solutions is in the best interest of the City. Waiving
the bid process in this instance supports operational continuity, minimizes the risk of service
disruption, and ensures the ongoing quality of maintenance at the Event Center.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Reduce the number of cuttings per year, however, this would impact the overall appearance of
the Event Center.
2. Do not award and provide the service internally. We have checked into this in the past, and it
is not cost effective for the City to provide this service.
3. Bid this service.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are sufficient funds in the Event Center budget (100.408.52481).
EMERGENCY/NON EMERGENCY
1st Reading Emergency – A 1st reading emergency is requested to allow for timely processing of
payment and to ensure there is no disruption in ongoing maintenance at the Event Center.
cc:

Samantha Zimmerman, Finance Director
Scott Tadych, Public Works & Utilities Director
Charlie Anderson, Public Works Superintendent
Angie Smith, Event Center Manager
Tom Smith, Community & Economic Development Director

Page 54 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 4

Page 55 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-30
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE RIVER CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT SUBDISTRICT OF
THE MIAMI CONSERVANCY DISTRICT FOR THE CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
GREAT MIAMI RIVERWAY INITIATIVE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the City intends to rejoin the The Great Miami Riverway Initiative to
use the goals of the program to increase the use of recreational, historical and cultural
assets; attract more visitors; support economic development; and to strengthen river
corridor neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the proposed agreement is six-year commitment from 2026 through
2032; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the agreement is $17,000.00 in 2026, and a minimum
of $17,000.00 in each additional year of the agreement, subject to rate adjustments;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio, that:
Section 1
The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the River
Corridor Improvement Subdistrict of the Miami Conservancy District for the City to
participate in The Great Miami Riverway Initiative. The agreement shall be in a form
substantially similar to Exhibit “A”, attached hereto, and shall be in a form approved by
the Law Director.
Section 2
The Finance Director is hereby authorized to pay a sum not to exceed
$102,000.00 from the General Fund (Fund # 100). The cost for 2026 is $17,000.00.
The minimum annual fee of $17,000.00 for each year of the contract shall be included
in the annual budget for the term of the agreement. Further City Council approval is not
required as long a rate adjustment does not exceed 20% of the cost of the prior year
and funds are properly appropriated.
Section 3
It is hereby determined that the subject matter of this legislation is not of a
general and permanent nature, does not provide for a public improvement and does
not assess a tax or payment.

Page 56 of 121

Section 4
This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: to allow
the agreement to be signed as soon as practicable so that the City can begin
participating in The Great Miami Riverway Initiative, and shall be in full force and effect
from the date of its adoption.

___________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor

Adopted:____________

Attest: _________________________
Clerk of City Council
H:/Law/leg/2026 Leg/O Great Miami Riverway

Page 57 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the City Council meeting of May 19th, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 19, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:
PREPARED BY:

Tom Smith, CED Director
Tom Smith, CED Director

City of Middletown and the Great Miami Riverway Coalition Agreement
PURPOSE
To authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the River Corridor Improvement
Subdistrict of the Miami Conservancy District (MCD) to be a member of the Greater Miami
Riverway Coalition.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
In 2008 the MCD and the University of Dayton co-hosted the first Great Miami River Summit.
The goals of the Summit were to develop a set of recommendations to stimulate river corridor
investments; to share plans for riverfront development and to explore opportunities to leverage
individual projects into a collective power; to discuss and explore their shared interests in
successful cities and farmland preservation; and for Great Miami River stakeholders to begin to
develop a shared vision of the river as an economic driver, unifying force, and competitive
advantage for the region. Approximately one hundred community leaders participated which led
to a volunteer group, the Ohio’s Great Corridor Association, who worked on river-related
opportunities.
In 2017, at the request of the river corridor communities, MCD launched the Riverway program
under its River Corridor Improvement Subdistrict with 19 riverfront communities and
organizations. The mission of the coalition is to build a strong, vibrant network of communities,
connected by 99 miles of river, increasing economic and community investment to attract
customers, jobs, and talented workers to southwest Ohio.
The strategic priorities of the Coalition are to:
1. Establish long-term funding to support the Riverway Coalition operations and projects
2. Create an improved, connected, consistent Riverway experience
3. Establish the Great Miami Riverway as the defining regional identity and be recognized as
the premier outdoor destination in the Midwest.
A vital part of Downtown revitalization and success is access to a recreational component. Being
a member of the Coalition will significantly impact the city’s ability to maximize the benefit of
utilizing the river for economic gain.
The Coalition is comprised of 17 members, including the neighboring communities of Franklin,
Trenton, and Monroe with an annual budget of $169, 250.

Page 58 of 121

The agreement is for a period of six years and will mature in 2032.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council can elect to approve, table, or deny the legislation.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
An annual payment of $17,000 will be payable out of fund 100.160.52920
NON-EMERGENCY / EMERGENCY
Staff recommends that council conduct a first reading of the legislation; and following a first
reading of the legislation, move to direct the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the
River Corridor Improvement Subdistrict of the Miami Conservancy District.
ATTACHMENTS
None.

Page 59 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 5

Page 60 of 121

RESOLUTION NO. R2026-14
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR AND
ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, OFFICE OF AVIATION, FOR AN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM GRANT FOR THE RUNWAY 5 OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL PROJECT
AT MIDDLETOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT FOR STATE FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation is
administrating funds to provide financial assistance to publicly owned airports in the
State through the Ohio Airport Improvement Program, Direct Grant; and
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown is eligible for funding for a project identified
as Runway 5 Obstruction Removal 1.01 Acres (“the Project”) at the Middletown
Regional Airport / Hook Field;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
The City Manager is authorized to apply for and to enter into a grant agreement
with the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, for the Project at
Middletown Regional Airport. The City Manager is further authorized to sign any
documents necessary to administer the grant. It is anticipated that the Project will be
funded 95% by ODOT and the City will be responsible for 5%. The agreement shall be
in a form approved by the Law Director.
Section 2
This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: in order
to allow the application to be submitted before ODOT’s June 1, 2026, deadline, and
shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption.

_________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Adopted: ______________

Attest:____________________
Clerk of the City Council
H:/Law/Leg/2026 Leg/r ODOT Airport Grant – Runway 5 Obstruction Removal

Page 61 of 121

STAFF REPORT
For Council Meeting: May 19, 2026
______________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 7, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Nik Brumback, Airport Manager
APPLY AND ACCEPT AN ODOT, OFFICE OF AVIATION GRANT
FOR OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL AT THE AIRPORT

PURPOSE
To authorize the city manager to apply for and accept if awarded a 95% ODOT, 5% Local grant
from ODOT’s Office of Aviation to provide financial assistance to publicly owned airports, for
the “Runway 5 Obstruction Removal 1.1 acres” project.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
Runway 5 currently carries a published restriction of “Straight-in Runway 5 NA at night.” This
limitation is due to tree obstructions impacting the protected approach surface. As a result, aircraft
are unable to conduct straight-in instrument landings to Runway 5 during nighttime conditions,
which reduces the airport’s reliability and flexibility – particularly for corporate aviation,
emergency services, business-related travel, along with our current tenants. These obstructions
have been identified by FAA/ODOT.
In order to uplift the restriction, the Airport proposes to remove the tree obstructions. With
mitigating the obstruction, the impacts are below:
•
•
•
•

Restore full 24/7 IFR access to Runway 5 (this is the instruments that an aircraft uses to
land on the runway)
Improve safety margins and approach usability
Reduce diversions and increase operational reliability
Strengthen the airport’s role in supporting local economic development

These current restrictions at night limit aircraft, which can result in a loss of fuel sales and
operational activity. Addressing this issue positions the airport to better serve existing users while
attracting new aviation activity to the community.
The deadline to apply for the grant is 6/1/26.
The airport commission voted in favor of this grant opportunity by a vote of 6-0.
If the grant is awarded the timeline for this project would be in Q4 2026 or early 2027.

Page 62 of 121

FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated total cost for the project is $134,700. ODOT funding would cover $127,965 and the
Local share would be $6,735.
The current airport capital budget 492 has funds to pay for the project and the City would be 95%
reimbursed by ODOT.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may elect to not move forward with the proposed grant opportunity.
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
1st Reading Emergency is requested to meet the June 1st grant application deadline.

Page 63 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 6

Page 64 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-31
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A JOB
CREATION INCENTIVE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH WEIDMANN ELECTRICAL
TECHNOLOGY INC. AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the City has established a Job Creation Incentive Grant (JCIG)
Program to encourage the creation of new jobs in the City; and
WHEREAS, Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. (“Weidmann”) has proposed
a project which will result in the creation of approximately 56 new jobs and
approximately $3,000,000.00 in new annual payroll to the City, which qualifies for an
incentive grant under the City’s JCIG Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio, that:
Section 1
The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a Job Creation Incentive
Grant Agreement with Weidmann. The grant shall be in an amount equal to 50% of the
gross income tax collected on gross payroll attributable to the new employees placed
in service at the facility during and after the Job Creation Period, commencing in the
first year following the calendar year in which the Enterprise has met or exceeded the
jobs and payroll commitments, subject to the terms and conditions of the program and
agreement. The grant shall be paid for up to five years. The agreement shall be in a
form and substance substantially similar to Attachment “1”, attached hereto, and
approved by the Law Director.
Section 2
The Finance Director is hereby authorized to pay the annual amount of the
incentive from the Property Development Fund (Fund #499).
Section 3
This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: in order
to allow the agreement to be signed without delay so that the redevelopment of the site
can begin as soon as practicable, and shall take effect and be in force from and after
its adoption.

___________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor

Page 65 of 121

Adopted: ______________

Attest:_________________________
Clerk of the City Council
H:/law/leg/2026 Leg/O Weidmann Electrical - JCIG

Page 66 of 121

ATTACHMENT "1"
JOB CREATION INCENTIVE GRANT AGREEMENT
This job creation incentive grant agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
by and between the CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, OHIO, an Ohio municipality, with its main
offices located at One Donham Plaza, Middletown, Ohio 45042 (hereinafter "the City" or “City of
Middletown”) and WEIDMANN ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Vermont
Corporation, having a mailing address of 700 West Court Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078 (the
“Enterprise”).
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown has encouraged the creation of new jobs in the City
by establishing a Job Creation Incentive Grant Program (Ordinance No. O2012-11); and
WHEREAS, the Enterprise is expanding its operation into the City and will be relocating
and/or hiring approximately 56 jobs from outside of the City of Middletown’s corporation limits
to within the City of Middletown’s corporation limits by the end of the Job Creation Period
(defined below), with a commitment of $3,000,000.00 in new payroll annually; and
WHEREAS, the Enterprise’s decision to redevelop the vacant 350,000 SF former GPI
facility, 407 Charles St., Middletown (the “Property”) and location of related business operations
at the Property is contingent upon receipt of a Job Creation Incentive Grant from the City; and
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Incentive Team of the City of Middletown has
investigated the Enterprise and has recommended to the Middletown City Council that the
Enterprise is qualified to receive a Job Creation Incentive Grant (“JCIG”) and that the City and the
Enterprise should enter into an agreement memorializing the terms of the JCIG.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained and
the benefit to be derived by the parties from the execution hereof, the parties herein agree as
follows:
1.

The Enterprise intends to establish a manufacturing facility in the City of Middletown. The
Enterprise anticipates adding approximately 56 jobs to within the City’s limits (i.e., jobs
that did not exist in the City prior to the date hereof) (such additional or relocated jobs,
“New Jobs”) over a period not to exceed three (3) years following the Enterprise’s
acquisition of the Property from the City (the “Job Creation Period”). Payroll attributable
to the New Jobs is projected to be $3,000,000.00. If the Enterprise creates payroll
attributable to New Jobs within the City’s limits that are subject to the City’s income tax
in an amount of at least $3,000,000.00 in gross payroll (collectively the “Jobs and Payroll
Commitment”) on or before expiration of the Job Creation Period, the City shall award the
Enterprise the JCIG set forth below, subject to the terms of this Agreement and Ordinance
No. O2012-11. For the avoidance of doubt, the Job Creation Period begins upon the
Enterprise’s receipt of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy with respect to
the Property.

The Enterprise shall receive an annual grant in an amount equal to 50% of the gross income
tax collected on gross payroll attributable to New Jobs during and after the Job Creation
1

19407265v6

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Period, commencing in the first year following the calendar year in which the Enterprise
has met or exceeded the Jobs and Payroll Commitment contained herein. The grant
hereunder is hereby made in an amount equal to a percentage of the income tax collected
in each twelve (12) month period and shall be paid for five (5) years (the “Grant Period”),
subject to adjustment, termination, or recoupment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
the first month of the Grant Period must occur within the Job Creation Period.
3.

All grant payments are subject to the availability and appropriation of “non-tax revenues”
to fund the grant payments, as set forth in Ordinance No. O2012-11. Annual grant
payments will not be made until the City has verified compliance with the grant
requirements. The Enterprise shall provide to the City any information reasonably required
by the City to evaluate the Enterprise’s compliance with this Agreement.

Continuation of this Agreement is subject to the Enterprise maintaining or exceeding the
Jobs and Payroll Commitment during the Grant Period after the Grant Period has
commenced. At any point during the term of this Agreement, if the City reasonably
determines that the Enterprise has failed to maintain the Jobs and Payroll Commitment
during a twelve (12) month measurement period, the Enterprise shall be deemed to have
“materially failed to comply with this Agreement.” If the Enterprise “materially fails to
comply with this Agreement” or in any other manner fails to perform its material
obligations hereunder, the City may reduce or eliminate the amount of the grant for that
year.

The Enterprise commits that it will operate continuously within the City for a period of at
least five (5) years following the last date of the Grant Period. If the Enterprise fails to do
so, the Enterprise shall be deemed to have materially failed to comply with this Agreement,
and the City shall be entitled to require the Enterprise to repay to the City all or part of the
incentive grant payments received pursuant to this Agreement. In determining the portion
of the incentive grant to be refunded to the City, the City shall consider the effect of market
conditions on the Enterprise’s project and whether the Enterprise continues to maintain any
other operations within the City.

The Enterprise hereby certifies that at the time this Agreement is executed:
(a)

to the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, it does not owe any delinquent real
or tangible personal property taxes to any taxing authority of the State of Ohio, and
does not owe any delinquent taxes for which the Developer is liable under Chapters
5733., 5735., 5739., 5741., 5743., 5747., 5753. of the Ohio Revised Code. If such
delinquent taxes are owed, the Enterprise is currently paying the delinquent taxes
pursuant to an undertaking enforceable by the State of Ohio or an agent or
instrumentality thereof, has filed a petition in bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C.A. 101,
et seq., or such a petition has been filed against the Enterprise. For the purposes of
the certification, delinquent taxes are taxes that remain unpaid on the latest day
prescribed for payment without penalty under the chapter of the Revised Code
governing payment of those taxes.
2

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Page 68 of 121

(b)

to the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, it does not owe any delinquent income
taxes to a political subdivision of the State;

(c)

to the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, it does not owe any money to the
State of Ohio or a state agency for the administration or enforcement of any
environmental laws of the State; and

(d)

to the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, it does not owe any other money to
the State, a state agency or political subdivision of the State that is past due, whether
the amounts owed are being contested in a court of law or not.

The Enterprise and the City of Middletown acknowledge that this Agreement has been
approved by formal action of the legislative authority of the City of Middletown as a
condition for this Agreement to take effect. This Agreement takes effect and is binding
upon the parties hereto upon the effective date of City Council’s approval and upon the
latter date of the signatures of both parties below.

The City of Middletown requires that recipients of incentive benefits practice nondiscriminating hiring in its operations. By executing this Agreement, the Enterprise is
committing to following non-discriminating hiring practices acknowledging that no
individual may be denied employment solely on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability,
color, national origin, or ancestry.

The Enterprise affirmatively covenants that it has made no false statements of material
facts to the City in the process of obtaining approval for the JCIG. If any representative of
the Enterprise has knowingly made a false statement to the City to obtain the grant, the
Enterprise shall be required to immediately return all benefits received under this
Agreement and shall be ineligible for any future economic development assistance from
the City. Any person who provides a false statement to secure economic development
assistance may be guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree, pursuant to
Ohio Revised Code §2921.13(A)(4), which is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000
and/or a term of imprisonment of not more than six months.

10.

The Enterprise agrees that the City is permitted to conduct such audits as it may deem
reasonably necessary to determine the accuracy of the Enterprise’s compliance with the
Jobs and Payroll Commitment during the Grant Period and during each twelve (12) month
period for which the Enterprise believes a grant award is due hereunder. Such audits may
be required by the City at any time during the term of this Agreement.

11.

This Agreement is not transferable or assignable without the express, written approval of
the City of Middletown.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be executed on the date
below their signatures.
3
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CITY OF MIDDLETOWN

WEIDMANN ELECTRICAL
TECHNOLOGIES INC.

By:________________________
Ashley Combs
City Manager

By:________________________

Date:___________________

Approved as to form:
________________________
Law Director

4
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STAFF REPORT

For the business meeting of May 19th, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 5, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:
PREPARED BY:

Jacob Schulte, Assistant CED Director
Luke Modesto, Community & Economic Development Program Manager
Weidmann Group – Job Creation Incentive Grant

PURPOSE
To authorize the City Manager to approve and enter into a Job Creation Incentive Grant with
Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. for 407 Charles St, in an amount not to exceed 50% for a
duration not to exceed five years after the job creation period.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc., a private Swiss company with global operations, makes
transformer insulation systems. It proposes to acquire the vacant 350,000 SF former GPI facility,
407 Charles St., Middletown, that has been in operation for over 100 years, to renovate the existing
building and create a new manufacturing facility. The project would onshore manufacturing of
critical components needed to address the growing demand for transformers. Weidmann has a
facility in Urbana, Ohio, as well as a recently opened facility in Vermont.
The company is planning to invest over $150,000,000, with $35,000,000 of that being for new
construction materials (excluding labor). They will create at least 56 new full-time jobs, most of
which will be in production, with an annual payroll of over $3,000,000.
To justify the commitment of such a large capital investment and to be able to compete with foreign
production, we incentivized Weidmann to move into Middletown and renovate the manufacturing
facility by offering a Job Creation Incentive Grant between the City of Middletown and Weidmann
Electrical.
Payments for this grant would occur one year after the job creation period, and last for four years
thereafter. The amount returned to the company would be equal to 50% of the income taxes
collected over that 5-year term.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Modify the terms provided
2. Strike down the agreement
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
A reduction in City revenues for the payroll withholdings amounting to 50% of W2 withholdings
from the jobs created by Weidmann, to be paid annually over a 5-year period.

Page 71 of 121

NON-EMERGENCY / EMERGENCY
Second Reading Emergency
Staff is requesting a second reading emergency to promptly enact the agreement so that Weidmann
can quickly move forward with remediation and renovations of the facility.

Page 72 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 7

Page 73 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-32
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN
ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT WITH WEIDMANN ELECTRICAL
TECHNOLOGY INC. PROVIDING FOR A NEW MANUFACTURING
FACILITY AS A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND TAX EXEMPTION
PURSUANT TO THE OHIO ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio has, pursuant to its Ohio Enterprise Zone Program, provided
for the establishment of “enterprise zones” as such term is defined in Section 5709.61 of the Ohio
Revised Code, and for the provision of tax incentives to private enterprises in order to promote and
encourage development programs by private enterprises in such “enterprise zones,” and the creation
and/or preservation of jobs in connection therewith; and
WHEREAS, City Council, by its Ordinance No. No. 084-66 enacted on June 5, 1984,
designated an area within the City as an “enterprise zone” pursuant to Sections 5709.61 through
5709.69 of the Ohio Revised Code (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, effective June 15, 1984, the Director of the Ohio Department of Development
determined that the aforementioned area designated in that Ordinance No. 084-66 contained the
characteristics set forth in the Act and certified that the area as an “enterprise zone” under the Act;
and
WHEREAS, City Council, by Resolutions No. R96-32 adopted on July 16, 2996, No. R9928 adopted on September 21, 199, No. R2001-31 adopted on November 6, 2001 and No. R2007-1
adopted on January 16, 2007, expanded the area within the “enterprise zone” in accordance with the
Act; and
WHEREAS, effective August 29, 1996, October 26, 1999, November 20, 2001, and February
23, 2007, respectively, the Director of the Ohio Department of Development certified that areas
designated by the City in Resolutions No. R96-32, No. R9 9-2 8, No. R.2001-31, and No. R2007-1
also contain the characteristics set forth in the Act and certified the expanded area as an “enterprise
zone” under the Act (the “Enterprise Zone”); and
WHEREAS, City Council has received a proposal from Weidmann Electrical Technology,
Inc. (together with its affiliates and permitted successors or assigns, “Weidmann”) proposing to
develop a 350,000 square foot building to create a new manufacturing facility on certain real property
located within the Enterprise Zone and identified by the Butler County Auditor, Ohio as having Parcel
No. Q6532025000001 (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, Weidmann has submitted an Enterprise Zone Application to the City, a copy
of which is attached hereto as “Exhibit A” the (“Application”); and
WHEREAS, the Project is expected to enable Weidmann to invest approximately
$150,000,000 in building improvements, machinery, and equipment to create approximately 56 new
full-time permanent jobs that will result in approximately $3,000,000 in new annual payroll; and

Page 74 of 121

WHEREAS, the City and Weidmann desire to enter into a written Enterprise Zone
Agreement (the “Agreement”), substantially in the form attached hereto as “Exhibit B” in order to
facilitate the development of the Project, which will benefit the economic climate of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Application has been reviewed and investigated by the City, and City
Council has received oral or written reports and data in support of the Application. Based on such
review and investigation and City Council’s own information and knowledge, City Council has
determined that it will be in the best interests of the City of Middletown and its citizens to enter into
the Agreement, which Agreement will carry out the purposes of the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program
and the Act, and will promote the economic welfare of the City and its residents by creating or
preserving jobs and employment opportunities in the City; and
WHEREAS, the City by its Ordinance No. 2015-76, passed December 1, 2015, and the
Middletown Board of Education (the “School District”) by motion on November 30, 2015
previously entered a Comprehensive School Compensation Agreement to provide for payment for
the School District and the School District waived any requirement for the City to provide notice
under Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.83; and
that:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Middletown, Ohio

SECTION 1. Based on the aforesaid review, investigation, reports, and data, City Council
hereby finds and determines that Weidmann is qualified by financial responsibility and business
expertise to create and preserve employment opportunities in the Enterprise Zone and to improve
the economic climate of the City. City Council further finds and determines that the Application
complies with the requirements of the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program and the Act, the Project is
satisfactory to the City, and the Application is hereby approved.
SECTION 2. City Council hereby finds and determines that the real property tax
exemptions requested by Weidmann in connection with the Project in its Application and the
Agreement meets the requirements of the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program and the Act, and City
Council hereby approves such exemptions; to wit, exemption for fifteen years of one hundred
percent (100%) of the increase in the assessed valuation of real property constituting the project
site subsequent to this Ordinance’s approval. City Council further authorizes and directs the City
Manager to enter into the Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Attachment 3,
to provide for the construction of the Project and granting the tax exemptions requested by
Weidmann and set forth herein. The Agreement is hereby approved, together with such changes
or amendments that are not inconsistent with this Ordinance and the Act and not substantially
adverse to the City, all of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the signing of the Agreement
or any amendments thereto by the City Manager and the Law Director on behalf of the City.
SECTION 3. City Council hereby authorizes and directs the City Manager, Law Director,
and Economic Development Director to take additional steps, provide such information and
certifications to the State or Weidmann as is necessary and appropriate to carry out and implement
the terms and conditions of the aforesaid Agreement, and the requirements and policies of the Ohio
Enterprise Zone Program.

Page 75 of 121

SECTION 4. This Council finds and determines that all formal actions of this Council and
any of its committees concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were taken in an
open meeting of this Council and any of its committees, and that all deliberations of this Council
and any of its committees that resulted in those formal actions were in meetings open to the public,
all in compliance with the law including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 11. This Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: in order to allow
the agreement to be signed without delay so that the redevelopment of the site can begin as soon
as practicable, and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption.
___________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Adopted: ______________
Attest:_________________________
Clerk of the City Council
H:/law/leg/2026 Leg/O Weidmann Electrical - EZ

The foregoing is a true and correct copy of an ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City
of Middletown, Butler and Warren Counties, Ohio, on _______________, 2026.
________________________
Clerk of the City Council

Page 76 of 121

EXHIBIT "A"

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT
OHIO ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM
PROPOSED AGREEMENT for Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives between the City of Middletown
Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc.
located in the Counties of Butler and Warren and

1a.

Name of business, home or main office address, contact person, and telephone number
(attach additional pages if multiple enterprise participants).
Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc.

Chris Burtscher, VP

enterprise name

contact person

(937) 652-1220 ext. 149

700 W. Court Street, Urbana, OH 43078

telephone number
1b.

address

Project site:
Chris Burtscher, VP

(937) 652-1220 ext. 149

contact person

telephone number

407 Charles Street, Middletown

address
2a.

Nature of business (manufacturing, distribution, wholesale or other).
Weidmann Electrical Technology is a manufacturer of paper insulation materials for the electric transformer
industry.
322299

2b.

List primary 6 digit NAICS #
Business may list other relevant SIC numbers.

2c.

If a consolidation, what are the components of the consolidation?
location, assets, and employment positions to be transferred)
This is an expansion project. There will be no consolidation.

(Must itemize the

Page 77 of 121

Form of business of enterprise (corporation, partnership, proprietorship, or other).
Corporation

Name of principal owner(s) or officers of the business (attach list if necessary).
Weidmann Electrical is private family-owned company based in Switzerland that has been operating since 1877.
A list of Weidmann's executive leadership can be found at www.weidmann-electrical.com/about/leadership-team
X
No ____

Is business seasonal in nature?

Yes

5a.

State the enterprise's current employment level at the proposed project site:
0

5b.

Will the project involve the relocation of employment positions or assets from one Ohio
location to another? Note that relocation projects are restricted in non-distress based Ohio
Enterprise Zones. A waiver from the Director of the Ohio Department of Development is
available for special limited circumstances. The business and local jurisdiction should
contact ODOD early in the discussions.
No

Yes
5c.

If yes, state the locations from which employment positions or assets will be relocated and
the location to where the employment positions or assets will be located:
N/A

5d.

State the enterprise's current employment level in Ohio (itemized for full and part-time and
permanent and temporary employees):
215 (FT) jobs in Urbana, Ohio

5e.

State the enterprise's current employment level for each facility to be affected by the
N/A
relocation of employment positions or assets:

5f.

What is the projected impact of the relocation, detailing the number and type of
N/A
employees and/or assets to be relocated?

6a.

Has the Enterprise previously entered into an Enterprise Zone Agreement with the local
legislative authorities at any site where the employment or assets will be relocated as a
result of this proposal? Yes
No X

6b.

If yes, list the local legislative authorities, date, and term of the incentives for each
N/A
Enterprise Zone Agreement:

Page 78 of 121

Does the Enterprise owe:
a. Any delinquent taxes to the State of Ohio or a political subdivision of the state?
Yes
No X
b. Any moneys to the State or a state agency for the administration or enforcement of
any environmental laws of the State? Yes
No X
c. Any other moneys to the State, a state agency or a political subdivision of the State
that are past due, whether the amounts owed are being contested in a court of law or
X
No
not.
Yes
d. If yes to any of the above, please provide details of each instance including but not
limited to the location, amounts and/or case identification numbers (add additional
sheets if necessary).
N/A

Project Description (attach additional pages if necessary):
Weidmann proposes to acquire the roughly 350,000 SF vacant GPI facility at 407 Charles Street.
The company will work with the landbank to remediate the site as well as undertake some selective demolition.
The company will then renovate the building in order to install new machinery and equipment for the
manufacturing of paper insulation used in electrical transformers.

Project will begin , XXX
20

June of 2026

by late 2027 or early

, 20 28

and be completed
provided a tax exemption is provided.

10a.

Estimate the number of new employees the business intends to hire at the facility that is
the project site (job creation projection must be itemized by full and part-time and
56 full-time jobs
permanent and temporary):

10b.

State the time frame of this projected hiring:

10c.

State proposed schedule for hiring (itemize by full and part-time and permanent and
All jobs should be in place by December 31, 2028
temporary employees):

11a.

Estimate the amount of annual payroll such new employees will add (new annual payroll
must be itemized by full and part-time and permanent and temporary new employees).
$

three (3)

years

Full Time

$5,000,000

Part Time

Permanent

Temporary

Page 79 of 121

11b.

Indicate separately the amount of existing annual payroll relating to any job retention claim
0
resulting from the project:$

12.

Market value of the existing facility as determined for local property taxation.
$ 4,051,130

13a.

Business's total current investment in the facility as of the proposal's submission.
$ approx. $1.5M enviro due diligence, earnest money and legal

13b.

State the businesses' value of on-site inventory required to be listed in the personal
property tax return of the enterprise in the return for the tax year (stated in average dollar
value per most recent 12 month period) in which the agreement is entered into (baseline
inventory):
No longer applicable
$

14.

An estimate of the amount to be invested by the enterprise to establish, expand, renovate
or occupy a facility:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

15a.

Acquisition of Land/Buildings:
Additions/New Construction:
Improvements to existing buildings:
Machinery & Equipment:
Furniture & Fixtures:
Inventory:
Total New Project Investment:

$ 5,000,000
$
$ 50,000,000
$ 100,000,000
$
$
$ 155,000,000

Business requests the following tax exemption incentives: 100 % for 15
years covering
real property as described above. Please use the area below for additional information.
Weidmann understands in will make a PILOT payment of 23.73%, which the City will provide to the Schools

15b.

Business's reasons for requesting tax incentives (be quantitatively specific as possible)
Weidmann has operations around the world and is an industry leader.

This is a large capital investment. This reshoring of a critical supply chain material requires an investment
more than double of what a similar project would cost in China. Incentives will help this company
to justify this large capital investment in Middletown. Weidmann is very appreciative of the City's
efforts to help make this project a reality.

Page 80 of 121

Submission of this application expressly authorizes the City of Middletown of Butler and Warren
Counties to contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to confirm statements contained
within this application including item #7 and to review applicable confidential records. As part of
this application, the business may also be required to directly request from the Ohio Department
of Taxation or complete a waiver form allowing the Ohio Department of Taxation to release
specific tax records to the local jurisdictions considering the incentive request.
Applicant agrees to supply additional information upon request.
The applicant affirmatively covenants that the information contained in and submitted with this
application is complete and correct and is aware of the ORC Sections 9.66(C)(1) and
2921.13(D)(1) penalties for falsification which could result in the forfeiture of all current and future
economic development assistance benefit as well as a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or a term
of imprisonment of not more than six months.
Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc.
Name of Enterprise

May 11, 2026
Date
Chris Burtscher, VP

Signature

Typed Name and Title

* A copy of this proposal must be forwarded by the local governments to the affected Board of
Education along with notice of the meeting date on which the local government will review the
proposal. Notice must be given a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled meeting
to permit the Board of Education to appear and/or comment before the legislative authorities
considering the request.
** Attach to Final Enterprise Zone Agreement as Exhibit A
Please note that copies of this proposal must be included in the finalized Enterprise Zone
Agreement and be forwarded to the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Ohio Department of
Development within fifteen (15) days of final approval.

Page 81 of 121

EXHIBIT "B"
OHIO ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT
This Ohio Enterprise Zone Agreement (this “Agreement”) made and entered into by and
between the CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, OHIO, an Ohio municipal corporation, having a
mailing address of One Donham Plaza, Middletown, Ohio 45042 (the "City”) and WEIDMANN
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Vermont Corporation, having a mailing address of
700 West Court Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078 (the “Company”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the City has encouraged the development of real property and the
acquisition of personal property located in the area designated as an Enterprise Zone; and
WHEREAS, the Company is desirous of acquiring a vacant approximately 350,0000
square foot facility and for use as a new manufacturing facility (the "Project") within the
boundaries of the aforementioned Enterprise Zone, to onshore manufacturing of critical
components and create employment opportunities, provided that the appropriate development
incentives are available to support the economic viability of said Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Middletown, Ohio (the “Council”) by Ordinance No.
084-66 enacted on June 5, 1984, designated the area as an "Enterprise Zone" pursuant Chapter
5709 of the Ohio Revised Code (the “Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, effective June 15, 1984, the Director of Development of the State of Ohio
determined that the aforementioned area designated in Ordinance contains the characteristics set
forth in Section 5709.61(A) of the Ohio Revised Code and certified said area as an Enterprise
Zone under said Chapter 5709; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City by Resolutions No. R96-32 adopted on July 16,
1996, No. R99-28 adopted on September 21, 1999, No. R2001-31 adopted on November 6, 2001
and No. R2007-1 adopted on January 16, 2007, expanded the area within the “enterprise zone” in
accordance with the Enterprise Zone Act; and
WHEREAS, effective August 29, 1996, October 26, 1999, November 20, 2001 and
February 23, 2007, respectively, the Director of the Ohio Department of Development certified
that the areas designated by the City in Resolutions No. R96-32, No. R9 9-2 8, No. R2001 – 31
and No. R2007-1 also contains the characteristics set forth in the Enterprise Zone Act and
certified the expanded area as an “enterprise zone” under the Enterprise Zone Act (the
“Enterprise Zone”); and
WHEREAS, the City having the appropriate authority for the stated type of project is
desirous of providing the Company with incentives available for the development of the Project
in said Enterprise Zone under Chapter 5709 of the Ohio Revised Code; and
WHEREAS, the Company has submitted a proposed agreement application (herein
attached as Exhibit A) to the City said application (the "Application"); and
1

Page 82 of 121

WHEREAS, the Company has remitted the required state application fee of $750.00
made payable to the Ohio Department of Development with the application to be forwarded with
the final agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City has investigated the Application and has
recommended the same to the Council on the basis that the Company is qualified by financial
responsibility and business experience to create and preserve employment opportunities in said
Enterprise Zone and improve the economic climate of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City by its Ordinance No. 2015-76, passed December 1, 2015, and the
Middletown Board of Education (the “School District”) by motion on November 30, 2015
previously entered a Comprehensive School Compensation Agreement to provide for payment
for the School District and the School District waived any requirement for the City to provide
notice under Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.83; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5709.62(C), and in conformance with the format
required under Section 5709.631 of the Ohio Revised Code, the parties hereto desire to set forth
their agreement with respect to matters hereinafter contained;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained and
the benefit to be derived by the parties from the execution hereof, the parties herein agree as
follows:
1.

The Company shall acquire an approximately 350,000 square foot vacant facility located
at 407 Charles Street, Middletown, Ohio 45042, for use as a new manufacturing facility
permitting the onshoring of the manufacturing critical components used in the making of
transformer insulation systems. In addition, the Company will purchase and install new
machinery and equipment including but not limited to paper and board making
equipment, formers, presses, saws, racking, a paper lab, and associated supporting
equipment.
The Project will begin June of 2026 and all acquisition, construction and installation will
be completed by March 31, 2028.
The total investment of this Project is greater than 20% of the market value of the facility
assets already owned at the site prior to such expenditures as evidenced in Exhibit A.

The Company shall create within a time period not exceeding 36 months after the
commencement of construction of the aforesaid facility, the equivalent of 56 new fulltime permanent job opportunities.
The Company’s schedule for hiring is as follows: create 56 new full-time permanent jobs
by year 3. The job creation period begins the Effective Date within thirty-six (36) months
of the Effective Date.

Page 83 of 121

The Company does not currently have any employees at the project site. In total, the
Company has 215 full-time permanent employees in the State of Ohio.
This increase in the number of employees will result in approximately Five Million and
No/100 ($5,000,000.00) dollars of additional annual payroll for the Company. The
following is an itemization by the type of new jobs created: full-time permanent
$5,000,000, full-time temporary $0.00, part-time permanent $0.00, and part-time
temporary, $0.00.
3.

The Company shall provide to the proper Tax Incentive Review Council any information
reasonably required by the council to evaluate the Company's compliance with this
Agreement, including returns filed pursuant to section 5711.02 of the Ohio Revised Code
if requested by the council.

The City hereby grants the Company a tax exemption for real property improvements
made to the Project site pursuant to Section 5709.62 of the Ohio Revised Code and shall
be in the following amounts:
Year of Tax Exemption

Tax Exemption Amount

YR 1
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
YR 5
YR 6
YR 7
YR 8
YR 9
YR 10
YR 11
YR 12
YR 13
YR 14
YR 15

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Each identified project improvement will receive a one hundred percent (100%)
exemption for a fifteen-year exemption period.
The Company must file the appropriate tax forms (DTE 24) with the Butler County
Auditor and (#913) with the Ohio State Department of Taxation to effect and maintain
the exemptions covered in this Agreement. The #913 Ohio tax form must be filed
annually.
5.

The Company shall pay an annual fee equal to the greater of One Percent (1%) of the
dollar value of incentives offered under this Agreement or Five Hundred ($500.00)
3

Page 84 of 121

dollars: provided, however, that if the value of the incentives exceeds Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand dollars, ($250,000.00) the fee shall not exceed Two Thousand Five Hundred
Dollars ($2,500.00).
The fee shall be made payable to the City once per year for each year this Agreement is
effective on the anniversary date of this Agreement in check or wire deposit. The fee is
to be paid to the Finance Director and made out to the City. This fee shall be deposited in
a special fund created for such purpose and shall be used exclusively for the purpose of
complying with section 5709.68 of the revised code and by the tax incentive review
council created under section 5709.85 of the revised code exclusively for the purposes of
performing the duties prescribed under that section.
6.

During the construction period and in each year in which this Agreement is in effect, the
Company agrees to pay to the City any amount that the City is required to share with the
Middletown City School District under the terms of the Comprehensive School
Compensation Agreement. This amount shall equal twenty-three and seventy-three
hundredths percent (23.73%) of the amount that the Middletown City School District
would have received in absence of the tax exemption granted under this Agreement, and
shall be calculated by the City and invoiced to the Company by May 1 of each year for
the previous year. The Company shall pay that amount to the City within thirty (30) days
of the date of the invoice. If the City does not receive that payment by that date, the City
may terminate or modify the exemptions from taxation granted under this agreement.

The Company shall pay such real and tangible personal property taxes as are not
exempted under this Agreement and are charged against such property and shall file all
tax reports and returns as required by law. If the Company fails to pay such taxes or file
such returns and reports, all incentives granted under this Agreement are rescinded
beginning with the year for which such taxes are charged or such reports or returns are
required to be filed and thereafter.

The Company shall perform such acts as are reasonably necessary or appropriate to
effect, claim, reserve, and maintain exemptions from taxation granted under this
Agreement including, without limitation, joining in the execution of all documentation
and providing any necessary certificates required in connection with such exemptions.

If for any reason the Enterprise Zone designation expires, the Director of the Ohio
Department of Development revokes certification of the zone, or the City revokes the
designation of the zone, entitlements granted under this Agreement shall continue for the
number of years specified under this Agreement, unless the Company materially fails to
fulfill its obligations under this Agreement and the City terminates or modifies the
exemptions from taxation granted under this Agreement.

If the Company materially fails to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, or if the
City determines that the certification as to delinquent taxes required by this Agreement is
fraudulent, the City may terminate or modify the exemptions from taxation granted under

Page 85 of 121

this Agreement and may require the repayment of the amount of taxes that would have
been payable had the property not been exempted from taxation under this Agreement.
10.

The Company hereby certifies that at the time this agreement is executed, the Company
does not owe any delinquent real or tangible personal property taxes to any taxing
authority of the State of Ohio, and does not owe delinquent taxes for which the Company
is liable under Chapter 5733., 5735., 5739., 5741., 5743., 5747., or 5753. of the Revised
Code, or, if such delinquent taxes are owed, the Company currently is paying the
delinquent taxes pursuant to an undertaking enforceable by the State of Ohio or an agent
or instrumentality thereof, has filed a petition in bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C.A. 101, et
seq., or such a petition has been filed against the Company. For the purposes of the
certification, delinquent taxes are taxes that remain unpaid on the latest day prescribed for
payment without penalty under the chapter of the Revised Code governing payment of
those taxes.

11.

The company affirmatively covenants that it does not owe: (1) any delinquent taxes to the
State of Ohio or a political subdivision of the State; (2) any moneys to the State or a state
agency for the administration or enforcement of any environmental laws of the State; and
(3) any other moneys to the State, a state agency or a political subdivision of the State
that are past due, whether the amounts owed are being contested in a court of law or not.

12.

The Company and the City acknowledge that this Agreement must be approved by
formal action of the legislative authority of the City as a condition for this Agreement to
take effect. This Agreement takes effect upon such approval.

13.

The City has developed a policy to ensure recipients of Enterprise Zone tax benefits
practice non-discriminating hiring in its operations. By executing this Agreement, the
Company is committing to following non-discriminating hiring practices acknowledging
that no individual may be denied employment solely on the basis of race, religion, sex,
disability, color, national origin, or ancestry.

14.

Exemptions from taxation granted under this Agreement shall be revoked if it is
determined that the Company, any successor enterprise, or any related member (as those
terms are defined in Section 5709.61 of the Ohio Revised Code) has violated the
prohibition against entering into this Agreement under Division (E) of Section 3735.671
or Section 5709.62, 5709.63, or 5709.632 of the Ohio Revised Code prior to the time
prescribed by that division or either of those sections."

15.

The Company affirmatively covenants that it has made no false statements to the State of
Ohio or local political subdivision in the process of obtaining approval for the Enterprise
Zone incentives. If any representative of the Company has knowingly made a false
statement to the State or local political subdivision to obtain the Enterprise Zone
incentives, the Company shall be required to immediately return all benefits received
under the Enterprise Zone Agreement pursuant to ORC Section 9.66 (C)(2) and shall be
ineligible for any future economic development assistance from the State, any state
agency or a political subdivision pursuant to ORC Section 9.66(C)(1). Any person who
5

Page 86 of 121

provides a false statement to secure economic development assistance may be guilty of
falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree, pursuant to ORC 2921.13(D)(1), which is
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment of not more
than six months.
16.

This Agreement is not transferrable or assignable without the express, written approval of
the City.
[Signature Page Follows]

Page 87 of 121

EXECUTED on the date first above written.
THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, OHIO, an
Ohio municipal corporation
By:
Ashley Combs, City Manager

WEIDMAN ELECTRICAL
TECHNOLOGY, INC, a Vermont
corporation
By:
[_____], [_____]
Agreement approved as to form:
__________________________________
__________________, City Law Director

Page 88 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the business meeting of May 19th, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 5, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:
PREPARED BY:

Jacob Schulte, Assistant CED Director
Luke Modesto, Community & Economic Development Program Manager
Weidmann Group – Enterprise Zone

PURPOSE
To authorize an Enterprise Zone Agreement with Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. to
acquire and redevelop a vacant 350,000 SF papermill, located at 407 Charles St.

BACKGROUND and FINDINGS
Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc., a private Swiss company with global operations, makes
transformer insulation systems. It proposes to acquire the vacant 350,000 SF former GPI
facility, 407 Charles St., Middletown, that has been in operation for over 100 years, to create a
new manufacturing facility. The project would onshore manufacturing of critical components
needed to address the growing demand for transformers. Weidmann has a facility in Urbana,
Ohio, as well as a recently opened facility in Vermont.
The company is planning to invest over $150,000,000, with $35,000,000 of that being for new
construction materials (excluding labor). They will create at least 56 new full-time jobs, most of
which will be in production, with an annual payroll of over $3,000,000.
To justify the commitment of such a large capital investment and to be able to compete with
foreign production, we incentivized Weidmann to move into Middletown and renovate the
manufacturing facility by offering them a 100%, 15-year tax abatement to help offset some of the
construction and remodel costs of this historic manufacturing facility.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternatives are: (1) to not approve the EZ agreement, (2) offer less of an abatement than
100%, or (3) to decrease the term of 15 years.
None of these alternatives are recommended by staff. The percentage and term of 100% for 15
years was desired by the company and used as an incentive to entice them to develop in
Middletown.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
As part of the agreement, Weidmann Electrical Technology agrees to pay the school compensation
required for this incentive, as well as a $2,500 annual fee to the City.

Page 89 of 121

EMERGENCY/NON EMERGENCY
Second Reading Emergency
Staff is requesting a second reading emergency to promptly enact the agreement so that Weidmann
can quickly move forward with remediation and renovations of the facility.

Page 90 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 8

Page 91 of 121

RESOLUTION NO. R2026-15
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN OHIO
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT 629 ROADWORK DEVELOPMENT GRANT
FOR THE PHASE 2 ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AT RENAISSANCE POINTE AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Middletown, Butler/Warren
Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
The City Manager is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio
Department of Development for the Phase 2 roadway improvements at Renaissance
Pointe. The grant is in an amount not to exceed $1,875,000.00. The agreement shall
be in a form approved by the Law Director.
Section 2
This resolution is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: to
preserve the grant funds for the Phase 2 improvements so that work can begin during
2026 and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption.

_____________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor

Adopted:______________________

Attest:________________________
Clerk of City Council

H://Law/Leg/2026 Leg/r 629 Roadwork Dev Grant – Renaissance Pointe

Page 92 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For Council Meeting: May 19, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE:

May 12, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Jacob Schulte, CED Assistant Director

PREPARED BY:

Michalla Perkins, CED Program Manager
Acceptance of the Ohio 629 Roadwork Grant

PURPOSE
To approve an agreement with Ohio Department of Development to accept a 629 Roadwork
Development Grant in the amount to not exceed $1,875,000 for the Phase 2 roadwork at
Renaissance Pointe.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
On May 19, 2025 the State Controlling Board approved the Ohio Department of Development’s
request to release $1,875,000.00 for the City of Middletown, for costs associated with the
completion of public roadwork improvements in support of the Renaissance Pointe project in the
City of Middletown. This infrastructure is a vital component of getting the site ready for the arena’s
construction.
The roadwork will consist of the construction of 1,329 linear feet of Atrium Boulevard, running
south from Middle Drive, then continuing west to Event Promenade. The roadwork will also
include the construction of an additional 788 linear feet of Event Promenade from Middle Drive,
continuing south and intersecting with the Atrium Boulevard extension. Additionally, the
construction of a retaining wall will be necessary due to the grading of the roadway.
ALTERNATIVES
The City could decline the grant and would be responsible for the entire cost of the Phase 2
improvements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Reimbursement for up to $1,875,000 covering approximately 75% of the total eligible roadwork
costs associated with the Phase II Infrastructure build-out.
NON-EMERGENCY / EMERGENCY
Two Reading Emergency. A two-reading emergency is requested so the City can promptly
execute the 629 Grant agreement and continue moving forward with Phase II infrastructure build
out.

Page 93 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 9

Page 94 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-33
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO RENEGOTIATE
THE RATE FOR THE GOVERNMENTAL NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION
PROGRAM AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the Ohio General Assembly has authorized the city councils to
aggregate the retail natural gas loads located in the respective jurisdictions and to enter
into service agreements to facilitate for those loads the purchase and sale of natural gas;
and,
WHEREAS, on May 2, 2023, the residents of the City of Middletown voted to
approve opt-out electric and natural gas programs for eligible City residents and
businesses; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown has taken all necessary actions to become a
certified natural gas aggregator through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; and,
WHEREAS, the current contract term expires approximately October 2026, and
the City’s consultant is beginning the process of pricing the next contract;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that:
Section 1
City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a
natural gas supply agreement with a natural gas supplier in consultation with, and upon
recommendation of Energy Alliances, Inc., the City’s energy aggregation consultant. The
City Manager may enter into an agreement provided that the aggregation rate does not
exceed Duke Energy Ohio’s default Gas Cost rate at the time of execution. The
agreement shall be for a period not to exceed 24 months.
Section 2
City Council further authorizes the City Manager to enter into or execute any
other agreements or documentation in furtherance of the City’s natural gas aggregation
program.
Section 3
City Council finds and determines that all formal actions and deliberations of City
Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Ordinance occurred in an open
public meeting of City Council in full compliance with all applicable law.

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Section 4
This Ordinance is the subject of the general authority granted to City Council
through the Ohio Revised Code and not the specific authority granted to City Council
through the status as a Limited Home Rule.
Section 5
This Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and general welfare, to wit: to allow
for quick acceptance of the proposed aggregation rate, and shall take effect and be in
force from and after its adoption.
______________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
Adopted: ____________________

Attest: ____________________
Clerk of City Council

H:/Law/leg/2026 Leg/O Natural Gas Aggregation Rate 2026

Page 96 of 121

STAFF REPORT
For the Business Meeting of: May 19, 2026
May 13, 2026
TO:

City Council

FROM:

Ashley Combs, City Manager
NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION RATE

PURPOSE
The proposed legislation would approve the renegotiation of the City’s natural gas aggregation
rate.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
The City of Middletown has been participating in natural gas rate aggregation since 2023. The
City’s current rate will expire in October 2026. Our aggregation consultant, Energy Alliances,
Inc., is beginning the process of negotiating the rates for the next contract period. They have
provided the attached memo explaining the current status of rates.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No cost to the City
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
Emergency passage on June 2, 2026, is requested so that the consultant can have authority to
negotiate our rate for the next term.

Page 97 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 10

Page 98 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-34
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. O2025-68 ESTABLISHING PAY
RANGES AND CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATIONS IN THE
MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT.
BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Middletown, Butler and
Warren Counties, Ohio:
Section 1
Section 4 of Ordinance No. O2025-68 is hereby amended as follows. The new
language is in bold.
Section 4
(A)
In the event of a public health pandemic declaration, the City Manager may, at
their sole discretion, award exempt employees of the Middletown Board of Health cash
bonus payments to those who are working over and above their regular work week
without overtime compensation. Cash bonus payments may not exceed five percent
(5%) of an exempt employee’s annual salary.
(B)
Employee bonuses that are available through grants awarded to the City,
Board of Health or Health Department, may be paid in accordance with the grant
requirements. The City Manager, Health Commissioner and Finance Director
shall review, and at their discretion, approve the payment of the bonuses.
Section 2
The Finance Director is hereby authorized to pay a sum not to exceed $9,000.00
from the Health Fund (Fund # 228), which sum is hereby appropriated to account
228.450.51290.
Section 3
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.
____________________________
Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
1st Reading:____________
2nd Reading:____________

Page 99 of 121

Adopted:_______________
Effective:______________

Attest: ___________________
Clerk of City Council

Page 100 of 121

STAFF REPORT

For the Business Meeting: May 19, 2026

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DATE:

May 8, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Jackie Phillips-Carter, Health Commissioner
Prepared by: Julie Klehamer, Paralegal
AMENDMENT OF 2026 HEALTH DEPARTMENT
PAY & BENEFITS ORDINANCE

PURPOSE
To request an amendment of the 2026 Pay and Benefits Ordinance for the Health Department to
include payment of a retention bonus to Health Department employees.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
The Health Department received a Public Health Workforce Subgrant. One of the uses of the grant
is payment of a bonus to department employees to encourage employee retention. The bonus
payment is limited to 3% of an employee’s gross wages (not including fringes) or $1,500.00,
whichever is less. There are currently six employees in the Health Department with salaries
ranging from $53,393.60 to $127,795.20 which means each employee is eligible for $1,500.00.
City Council adopted the 2026 Pay and Benefits Ordinance for the Health Department by
Ordinance No. O2025-68 on December 2, 2025. It was determined that amending the Health PBO
is the most efficient way to approve the retention bonuses for these employees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The retention bonuses will cost $9,000.00 in 2026. City Council will need to approve a
supplemental appropriation to account 228.450.51290, however, these funds will be reimbursed
by the grant.
EMERGENCY/NON-EMERGENCY
Non-emergency

Page 101 of 121

LEGISLATION
ITEM 11

Page 102 of 121

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-35
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF NOTES IN THE
MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $8,200,000, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE
ISSUANCE OF BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COSTS OF THE
ACQUISITION OF THE TOWNE MALL AND RELATED STRUCTURES LOCATED ON
PARCEL NUMBERS 703153006, 703176040, 70317601 AND 703172002 AND COSTS OF
RELATED DUE DILIGENCE, TITLE WORK AND DESIGN SERVICES, TOGETHER WITH
ALL NECESSARY APPURTENANCES THERETO, ALL IN SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION WITHIN THE CITY.
WHEREAS, the City of Middletown, Ohio (the “City”) is authorized by virtue of the laws
of the State of Ohio, including, without limitation, Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution,
and Chapter 165, Ohio Revised Code (collectively, the “Act”), among other things, to issue bonds
or notes to acquire, construct, equip, furnish or improve a “project” as defined in Section 165.01,
Ohio Revised Code, for the purpose of creating or preserving jobs and employment opportunities
and improving the economic welfare of the people of the City and of the State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, to create and preserve jobs and employment opportunities, the City has
determined to acquire the Towne Mall and related structures located on parcel numbers
703153006, 703176040, 703176041 and 703172002; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. O2025-33 passed June 3, 2025, notes in
anticipation of bonds in the principal amount of $7,897,000, dated August 12, 2025 (the
“Outstanding Notes”), were issued for the purpose described in Section 3, to mature on August 7,
2026; and
WHEREAS, this Council finds and determines that the City should retire the Outstanding
Notes with the proceeds of the Notes described in Section 4 and other funds available to the City
and provide an additional $303,000 for the purpose described in Section 3;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Middletown,
Butler and Warren Counties, State of Ohio, that:
Section 1.
Definitions and Interpretation. In addition to the words and terms elsewhere defined in this
Ordinance, unless the context or use clearly indicates another or different meaning or intent:
“Act” means the laws of the State of Ohio, including, without limitation, Section 13 of
Article VIII, Ohio Constitution and Chapter 165, Ohio Revised Code.
“Additional Bonds” means any additional bonds or bond anticipation notes of the City
which may be subsequently issued and payable solely from the Nontax Revenues on parity with
the (a) Notes and (b) Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds.

Page 103 of 121

“Authorized Denominations” means the denomination of $100,000 or any integral multiple
of $5,000 in excess thereof, or such other denominations as established by the Finance Director in
the Certificate of Award.
“Bonds” means the bonds of the City authorized by Section 3 of this Ordinance and in
anticipation of which the Notes are issued.
“Book entry form” or “book entry system” means a form or system under which (a) the
ownership of beneficial interests in the Notes and the principal of and interest on the Notes may
be transferred only through a book entry, and (b) a single physical Note certificate in fully
registered form is issued by the City and payable only to a Depository or its nominee as registered
owner, with the certificate deposited with and “immobilized” in the custody of the Depository or
its designated agent for that purpose. The book entry maintained by others than the City is the
record that identifies the owners of beneficial interests in the Notes and that principal and interest.
“Certificate of Award” means the certificate authorized by Section 6, to be executed by the
Finance Director, setting forth and determining those terms or other matters pertaining to the Notes
and their issuance, sale and delivery as this Ordinance requires or authorizes to be set forth or
determined therein.
“City Manager” means the City Manager of the City or any person serving in an interim or
acting capacity with respect to that office.
“Clerk of Council” means the Clerk of Council of the City or any person serving in an
interim or acting capacity with respect to that office.
“Closing Date” means the date of physical delivery of, and payment of the purchase price
for, the Notes.
“Depository” means any securities depository that is a clearing agency registered pursuant
to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, operating and
maintaining, with its Participants or otherwise, a book entry system to record ownership of
beneficial interests in the Notes or the principal of and interest on the Notes, and to effect transfers
of the Notes, in book entry form, and includes and means initially The Depository Trust Company
(a limited purpose trust company).
“Economic Development Bond Service Fund” means the Economic Development Bond
Service Fund heretofore created and continued pursuant to Section 9 and from which principal and
interest are paid on the Notes and the Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds.
“Finance Director” means the Finance Director of the City or any person serving in an
interim or acting capacity with respect to that office.
Code.

“Financing Costs” shall have the meaning given in Section 133.01 of the Ohio Revised

-2-

Page 104 of 121

“Maturity Date” means the date identified in the Certificate of Award and which date shall
be determined by the Finance Director to be necessary or advisable to the sale of the Notes,
provided that such date shall not be more than one year following the Closing Date.
“Mayor” means the Mayor of the City or any person serving in an interim or acting capacity
with respect to that office.
“Nontax Revenues” means all moneys of the City which are not moneys raised by taxation,
to the extent available for such purposes, including, but not limited to the following: (a) grants
from the United States of America and the State of Ohio; (b) payments in lieu of taxes now or
hereafter authorized by State statute; (c) fines and forfeitures which are deposited in the City’s
General Fund; (d) fees deposited in the City’s General Fund from properly imposed licenses and
permits; (e) investment earnings on the City’s General Fund and which are credited to the City’s
General Fund; (f) investment earnings of other funds of the City that are credited to the City’s
General Fund; (g) proceeds from the sale of assets which are deposited in the City’s General Fund;
(h) rental income which is deposited in the City’s General Fund; (i) gifts and donations, and
(j) proceeds from the sale of any portion of the Project.
“Note Proceedings” means, collectively, this Ordinance, the Certificate of Award, the Note
Purchase Agreement, the Note Registrar Agreement and such other proceedings of the City,
including the Notes, that provide collectively for, among other things, the rights of holders and
beneficial owners of the Notes.
“Note Purchase Agreement” means the Note Purchase Agreement between the City and
the Original Purchaser, as it may be modified in accordance herewith from the form on file with
the Clerk of Council and executed by the Finance Director, all in accordance with Section 8.
“Note Register” means all books and records necessary for the registration, exchange and
transfer of Notes as provided in Section 7.
“Note Registrar” means the Finance Director or a bank or trust company authorized to do
business in the State of Ohio and designated by the Finance Director in the Certificate of Award
pursuant to Section 6 as the note registrar and paying agent for the Notes.
“Note Registrar Agreement” means the Note Registrar Agreement between the City and
the Note Registrar, as it may be modified in accordance herewith from the form on file with the
Clerk of Council and executed by the Finance Director, all in accordance with Section 6.
“Notes” means the Notes authorized by this Ordinance and designated as such in the
Certificate of Award.
Award.

“Original Purchaser” means the purchaser of the Notes specified in the Certificate of

“Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds” means, collectively, the City’s outstanding Special
Obligation (Nontax Revenue) Industrial Development Revenue Bond (Federally Taxable), Series
2015 (Bender Tract Project), dated March 27, 2015, Special Obligation (Nontax Revenue)
Industrial Development Revenue Bond (Federally Taxable), Series 2015B (AK Steel Project),
-3-

Page 105 of 121

dated June 4, 2015 and Special Obligation Nontax Revenue Notes, Series 2026A (Federally
Taxable), dated April 22, 2026.
“Participant” means any participant contracting with a Depository under a book entry
system and includes securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies and clearing
corporations.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Ordinance have the meanings assigned to
them in the Act. The captions and headings in this Ordinance are solely for convenience of
reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any Sections, subsections,
paragraphs, subparagraphs or clauses hereof. Reference to a Section means a section of this
Ordinance unless otherwise indicated.
Section 2.
Findings. This Council hereby finds and determines that the Project (as defined in
Section 3) is a “project” as defined in the Act and is consistent with the purposes of Section 13 of
Article VIII, Ohio Constitution; that, the utilization of the Project is in furtherance of the purposes
of the Act and will benefit the people of the City and of the State of Ohio by creating and preserving
jobs and employment opportunities and improving the economic welfare of the people of the City
and of the State of Ohio, and that the amount necessary to finance the Project will require the
issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes, which Notes shall be payable and secured as provided
herein.
Section 3.
Authorization of Bonds. This Council determines that it is necessary and in the best interest
of the City to issue the Bonds in the maximum principal amount of $8,200,000 for the purpose of
(i) paying the costs of the acquisition of the Towne Mall and related structures located on parcel
numbers 703153006, 703176040, 703176041 and 703172002 and costs of related due diligence,
title work and design services, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto, all in support of
economic development and job creation within the City (the “Project”) and (ii) paying capitalized
interest.
The Bonds shall be dated approximately August 1, 2027, shall bear interest at the now
estimated rate of 7.00% per year, payable semiannually until the principal amount is paid, and are
estimated to mature in thirty (30) annual principal installments on December 1 of each year and in
such amounts that the total principal and interest payments on the Bonds in any fiscal year in which
principal is payable shall be substantially equal. The first principal payment of the Bonds is
estimated to be December 1, 2027.
Section 4.
Authorization of Notes; Principal Amount and Purpose. It is necessary to issue and this
Council determines that Notes in the maximum principal amount of $8,200,000 shall be issued in
anticipation of the issuance of the Bonds for the purpose described in Section 3 and to retire,
together with other funds available to the City, the Outstanding Notes, to pay capitalized interest
and to pay any Financing Costs. The principal amount of Notes to be issued (not to exceed the
-4-

Page 106 of 121

stated maximum amount) shall be determined by the Finance Director in the Certificate of Award
as the amount which, along with other available funds of the City, is necessary to provide for the
retirement of the Outstanding Notes and to pay capitalized interest (if any) and any Financing
Costs. The Notes shall be issued pursuant to the laws of the Act, the Charter of the City, this
Ordinance and the Certificate of Award.
The proceeds from the sale of the Notes received by the City (or withheld by the Original
Purchaser or deposited with the Note Registrar, in each case on behalf of the City) shall be paid
into the proper fund or funds, and those proceeds are hereby appropriated and shall be used for the
purpose for which the Notes are being issued, including without limitation but only to the extent
not paid by others, the payment of the Financing Costs and costs incurred incidental to those
purposes. The Certificate of Award and the Note Purchase Agreement may authorize the Original
Purchaser to (a) withhold certain proceeds from the sale of the Notes or (b) remit certain proceeds
from the sale of the Notes to the Note Registrar, in each case to provide for the payment of certain
Financing Costs on behalf of the City. If proceeds are remitted to the Note Registrar in accordance
with this Section, the Note Registrar shall be authorized to create a fund in accordance with the
Note Registrar Agreement for that purpose. Any portion of those proceeds received by the City
representing premium (after payment of any Financing Costs identified in the Certificate of Award,
and in the Note Purchase Agreement and/or the Note Registrar Agreement) or accrued interest
shall be paid into the Economic Development Bond Service Fund.
The par value to be received from the sale of the Bonds or of any renewal notes and any
excess funds resulting from the issuance of the Notes shall, to the extent necessary, be used to pay
the principal of and interest on the Notes at maturity and are pledged for that purpose.
Section 5.
Denominations; Principal and Interest Payment and Redemption Provisions. The Notes
shall be issued in one lot and only as fully registered notes. The Notes shall be dated as provided
in the Certificate of Award, provided that their dated date shall not be more than sixty (60) days
prior to the Closing Date.
(a)
Interest Rate and Payment. The Notes shall bear interest at the rate per year and
computed on the basis as shall be determined by the Finance Director in the Certificate of Award.
The net interest rate per year for the Notes determined by taking into account the principal amount
of the Notes and term to maturity shall not exceed 7.00% per year. Interest on the Notes shall be
payable at maturity and until the principal amount is paid or payment is provided for.
(b)
Principal Payment. The Notes shall mature, and the principal thereon shall be
payable, on the Maturity Date.
(c)
Payment of Principal of and Interest on the Notes. The principal of and interest on
the Notes shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America or in Federal Reserve
funds of the United States of America as determined by the Finance Director in the Certificate of
Award, and shall be payable, without deduction for services of the Note Registrar as paying agent.
Principal of and interest on the Notes shall be payable when due upon presentation and surrender
of the Notes at the designated corporate trust office of the Note Registrar. Notwithstanding the

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foregoing, if and so long as the Notes are issued in a book entry system, principal of and interest
on the Notes shall be payable in the manner provided in any agreements entered into by the Finance
Director, in the name and on behalf of the City, in connection with the book entry system.
(d)
Redemption. If determined to be in the best interests of the City by the Finance
Director, the Notes shall be subject to optional redemption by and at the sole option of the City, in
whole or in part, on the dates and at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount to be redeemed), plus accrued interest to the redemption date, to be determined
by the Finance Director in the Certificate of Award. Notice of redemption, identifying the Notes
or portions thereof, to be called, shall be delivered to the registered holder thereof not less than
thirty (30) days (or such other period as set forth in the Certificate of Award) prior to the date of
redemption. Notice having been delivered in the manner provided in the preceding sentence
hereof, the Notes and portions thereof called for redemption shall become due and payable on the
redemption date, and upon presentation and surrender thereof at the office of the paying agent,
shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. If moneys for
the redemption of all of the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, together with accrued interest
thereon to the redemption date, are held by the paying agent on the redemption date, so as to be
available therefor on that date and, if notice of redemption has been delivered as aforesaid, then
from and after the redemption date those Notes or portions thereof called for redemption shall
cease to bear interest and no longer shall be considered to be outstanding. If those moneys shall
not be so available on the redemption date, or that notice shall not have been delivered as aforesaid,
those Notes or portions thereof shall continue to bear interest, until they are paid, at the same rate
as they would have borne had they not been called for redemption.
Section 6.
Execution and Denominations of Notes; Appointment of Note Registrar. The Notes shall
be signed by the Mayor and the Finance Director, in the name of the City and in their official
capacities; provided that one of those signatures may be a facsimile, and shall bear the seal of the
City or a facsimile of that seal. The Notes shall not have coupons attached and shall be issued in
the Authorized Denominations as approved by the Finance Director, shall be numbered as
determined by the Finance Director in order to distinguish each Note from any other Note and
shall express upon their faces the purpose, in summary terms, for which they are issued and that
they are issued pursuant to the Act, the Charter of the City, this Ordinance and the Certificate of
Award.
The Finance Director is hereby authorized to designate in the Certificate of Award the
Finance Director or a bank or trust company authorized to do business in the State of Ohio to act
as the initial Note Registrar. The Finance Director shall sign and deliver, in the name and on behalf
of the City, the Note Registrar Agreement between the City and the Note Registrar, in substantially
the form as is now on file with the Clerk of Council. The Note Registrar Agreement is approved,
together with any changes or amendments that are not inconsistent with this Ordinance and not
substantially adverse to the City and that are approved by the Finance Director on behalf of the
City, all of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the signing of the Note Registrar Agreement
or amendments thereto. The Finance Director shall provide for the payment of the services
rendered and for reimbursement of expenses incurred pursuant to the Note Registrar Agreement,
except to the extent paid or reimbursed by the Original Purchaser and/or the Note Registrar in
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accordance with the Certificate of Award, the Note Purchase Agreement and/or the Note Registrar
Agreement, from the proceeds of the Notes to the extent available and then from other money
lawfully available and appropriated or to be appropriated for that purpose.
Section 7.
Registration; Transfer and Exchange; Book Entry System.
(a)
Note Register. So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the City will cause
the Note Registrar to maintain and keep the Note Register at its designated corporate trust office.
The person in whose name a Note is registered on the Note Register shall be regarded as the
absolute owner of that Note for all purposes of the Note Proceedings. Payment of or on account
of the principal of and interest on any Note shall be made only to or upon the order of that person;
neither the City nor the Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary, but the
registration may be changed as provided in this Section. All such payments shall be valid and
effectual to satisfy and discharge the City’s liability upon the Note, including interest, to the extent
of the amount or amounts so paid.
(b)
Transfer and Exchange. Any Note may be exchanged for Notes of any Authorized
Denomination upon presentation and surrender at the designated corporate trust office of the Note
Registrar, together with a request for exchange signed by the registered owner or by a person
legally empowered to do so in a form satisfactory to the Note Registrar. A Note may be transferred
only on the Note Register upon presentation and surrender of the Note at the designated corporate
trust office of the Note Registrar together with an assignment signed by the registered owner or by
a person legally empowered to do so in a form satisfactory to the Note Registrar. Upon exchange
or transfer the Note Registrar shall complete and deliver a new Note or Notes of any Authorized
Denomination or Denominations requested by the owner equal in the aggregate to the unmatured
principal amount of the Note surrendered and bearing interest at the same rate and maturing on the
same date.
If manual signatures on behalf of the City are required, the Note Registrar shall undertake
the exchange or transfer of Notes only after the new Notes are signed by the authorized officers of
the City. In all cases of Notes exchanged or transferred, the City shall sign and the Note Registrar
shall deliver Notes in accordance with the provisions of the Note Proceedings. The exchange or
transfer shall be without charge to the owner, except that the City and Note Registrar may make a
charge sufficient to reimburse them for any tax or other governmental charge required to be paid
with respect to the exchange or transfer. The City or the Note Registrar may require that those
charges, if any, be paid before the procedure is begun for the exchange or transfer. All Notes
issued upon any exchange or transfer shall be valid obligations of the City, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same security and benefit under the Note Proceedings as the Notes
surrendered upon that exchange or transfer.
(c)
Book Entry System. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Ordinance, if the
Finance Director determines in the Certificate of Award that it is in the best interest of and
financially advantageous to the City, the Notes may be issued in book entry form in accordance
with the following provisions of this Section.

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The Notes may be issued to a Depository for use in a book entry system and, if and as long
as a book entry system is utilized, (i) the Notes may be issued in the form of a single, fully
registered Note and, if applicable, and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, as
registered owner, and immobilized in the custody of the Depository or its designated agent for that
purpose which may be the Note Registrar; (ii) the beneficial owners of Notes in book entry form
shall have no right to receive the Notes in the form of physical securities or certificates;
(iii) ownership of beneficial interests in book entry form shall be shown by book entry on the
system maintained and operated by the Depository and its Participants, and transfers of the
ownership of beneficial interests shall be made only by book entry by the Depository and its
Participants; and (iv) the Notes as such shall not be transferable or exchangeable, except for
transfer to another Depository or to another nominee of a Depository, without further action by the
City.
If any Depository determines not to continue to act as a Depository for the Notes for use in
a book entry system, the Finance Director may attempt to establish a securities depository/book
entry relationship with another qualified Depository. If the Finance Director does not or is unable
to do so, the Finance Director, after making provision for notification of the beneficial owners by
the then Depository and any other arrangements deemed necessary, shall permit withdrawal of the
Notes from the Depository, and shall cause Note certificates in registered form and Authorized
Denominations to be delivered to the assigns of the Depository or its nominee, all at the cost and
expense (including any costs of printing), if the event is not the result of City action or inaction,
of those persons requesting such issuance.
The Finance Director is hereby authorized and directed, to the extent necessary or required,
to enter into any agreements, in the name and on behalf of the City, that the Finance Director
determines to be necessary in connection with a book entry system for the Notes.
Section 8.
Sale of the Notes to the Original Purchaser. The Finance Director is authorized to sell the
Notes at public or private sale to the Original Purchaser at a purchase price, not less than 97% of
the aggregate principal amount thereof, as shall be determined by the Finance Director in the
Certificate of Award and/or the Note Purchase Agreement, plus accrued interest (if any) on the
Notes from their date to the Closing Date, and shall be awarded by the Finance Director with and
upon such other terms as are required or authorized by this Ordinance to be specified in the
Certificate of Award, in accordance with law, and the provisions of this Ordinance.
The Finance Director shall sign the Certificate of Award and shall cause the Notes to be
prepared, signed and delivered, together with a true transcript of proceedings with reference to the
issuance of the Notes if requested by the Original Purchaser, to the Original Purchaser upon
payment of the purchase price.
The Finance Director shall sign and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the City, the Note
Purchase Agreement between the City and the Original Purchaser, in substantially the form as is
now on file with the Clerk of Council, providing for the sale to, and the purchase by, the Original
Purchaser of the Notes. The Note Purchase Agreement is approved, together with any changes or
amendments that are not inconsistent with this Ordinance and are not substantially adverse to the

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City and that are approved by the Finance Director on behalf of the City, all of which shall be
conclusively evidenced by the signing of the Note Purchase Agreement or amendments thereto.
The Mayor, the City Manager, the Finance Director, the Law Director, the Clerk of Council
and other City officials, as appropriate, and any person serving in an interim or acting capacity for
any such official, each are authorized and directed to sign any transcript certificates, financial
statements and other documents and instruments and to take such actions as are necessary or
appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Ordinance. Any actions
heretofore taken by the Mayor, the City Manager, the Finance Director, the Law Director, the
Clerk of Council or other City official, as appropriate, in doing any and all acts necessary in
connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes are hereby ratified and confirmed.
The principal amount of the Notes to be issued shall be determined by the Finance Director
in the Certificate of Award, having due regard to the best interest of and financial advantages to
the City.
Section 9.
Security for and Covenants Relating to Notes.
(a)
The Notes, together with the Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds and any
Additional Bonds that may be issued hereafter on a parity therewith, are special obligations of the
City, and the principal of and interest on the Notes are payable solely from, and such payment is
secured by a pledge of and lien on, those Nontax Revenues established by and as provided in this
Ordinance which are on deposit in the Economic Development Bond Service Fund, as described
below. The City covenants that to the extent the Notes will not be paid fully from Nontax
Revenues, it will do all things necessary for the issuance of the Bonds or renewal bond anticipation
notes in an appropriate amount to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the
Notes on the Maturity Date.
There was heretofore created by the City a separate fund named the Economic
Development Bond Service Fund into which Nontax Revenues shall be deposited in accordance
with the following provisions.
The City hereby covenants and agrees that on or before the Maturity Date it shall deposit
in the Economic Development Bond Service Fund from Nontax Revenues or proceeds from the
Bonds or renewal bond anticipation notes as determined by the City, an amount equal to the
amount of principal and/or interest due on the Notes on that Maturity Date as well as providing for
the payment of the principal of and interest on the Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds when due,
less, in the discretion of the City, any interest earnings or other moneys accumulated in the
Economic Development Bond Service Fund which have not theretofore been used as a credit
against a prior payment obligation. Moneys in the Economic Development Bond Service Fund
shall be used solely and exclusively to pay principal of and interest on the Notes, the Outstanding
Nontax Revenue Bonds and any hereafter designated Additional Bonds when due.
The City hereby covenants and agrees that so long as the Notes are outstanding, it will
appropriate and maintain sufficient Nontax Revenues each year to make each payment due under
this Section and to pay principal and interest when due; provided, however, the amount of such
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appropriation may be reduced by the amount of any Bonds or renewal bond anticipation notes
issued for the purpose of refunding the Notes and payments due hereunder and under the Notes
are payable solely from the proceeds of the Bonds and the Nontax Revenues, which Nontax
Revenues are hereby selected by the City pursuant to Section 165.12 of the Ohio Revised Code as
moneys that are not raised by taxation. The Notes are not secured by an obligation or pledge of
any moneys raised by taxation. The Notes do not and shall not represent or constitute a debt or
pledge of the faith or credit or taxing power of the City, and the owners of the Notes have no right
to have taxes levied by the City for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.
Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the City to use or apply to the payment of
principal of and interest on the Notes any funds or revenues from any source other than proceeds
of the Bonds or the Nontax Revenues. Nothing herein, however, shall be deemed to prohibit the
City, of its own volition, from using, to the extent that it is authorized by law to do so, any other
resources for the fulfillment of any of the terms, conditions or obligations of this Ordinance or of
the Notes.
(b)
The City will at all times faithfully observe and perform all agreements, covenants,
undertakings, stipulations and provisions to be performed on its part under this Ordinance and the
Notes and under all proceedings of this Council pertaining thereto. The City represents that (i) it
is, and upon delivery of the Notes covenants that it will be, duly authorized by the Constitution
and laws of the State of Ohio including particularly and without limitation the Act, to issue the
Notes and to provide the security for payment of the debt service charges in the manner and to the
extent set forth herein and in the Notes; (ii) all actions on its part for the issuance of the Notes have
been or will be taken duly and effectively; and (iii) the Notes will be valid and enforceable special
obligations of the City according to their terms. Each obligation of the City required to be
undertaken pursuant to this Ordinance and the Notes is binding upon the City, and upon each
officer or employee of the City as may from time to time have the authority under law to take any
action on behalf of the City as may be necessary to perform all or any part of such obligation, as a
duty of the City and of each of those officers and employee resulting from an office, trust or station
within the meaning of Section 2731.01, Ohio Revised Code, providing for enforcement by writ of
mandamus.
(c)
All books and documents in the City’s possession relating to the Nontax Revenues
shall be open at all times during the City’s regular business hours to inspection by such accountants
or other agents of the owners of the Notes as the owners may from time to time designate.
Section 10.
Rating and Financing Costs.
(a)
Application for Rating. If, in the judgment of the Finance Director, the filing of an
application for a rating on the Notes by one or more nationally-recognized rating agencies is in the
best interest of and financially advantageous to this City, the Finance Director is authorized to
prepare and submit those applications, to provide to each such agency such information as may be
required for the purpose, and to provide further for the payment of the cost of obtaining each such
rating, except to the extent otherwise paid in accordance with the Certificate of Award, the Note
Purchase Agreement and/or the Note Registrar Agreement, from the proceeds of the Notes to the

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extent available and otherwise from any other funds lawfully available and that are appropriated
or shall be appropriated for that purpose.
(b)
Financing Costs. The expenditure of the amounts necessary to pay any Financing
Costs in connection with the Notes, to the extent not paid by the Original Purchaser in accordance
with the Certificate of Award, the Note Purchase Agreement and/or the Note Registrar Agreement,
is authorized and approved, and the Finance Director is authorized to provide for the payment of
any such amounts and costs from the proceeds of the Notes to the extent available and otherwise
from any other funds lawfully available that are appropriated or shall be appropriated for that
purpose.
Section 11.
Additional Bonds. The City shall have the right from time to time to issue Additional
Bonds on a parity with the Notes, which Additional Bonds shall be payable solely from the Nontax
Revenues, and such payment shall be secured by a pledge of and a lien on the Nontax Revenues
as provided by the Act and by an ordinance passed by this Council authorizing the issuance of
those Additional Bonds.
Before any Additional Bonds are issued, the City shall be required to furnish a certificate
of the Finance Director showing that the aggregate amount of Nontax Revenues received during
the fiscal year immediately preceding the issuance of those Additional Bonds is at least equal to
150% of the largest amount required to be paid in any succeeding calendar year to meet estimated
interest and principal maturities of the Bonds, the Outstanding Nontax Revenue Bonds and any
Additional Bonds to be outstanding immediately after the issuance of such Additional Bonds, or
in the case of the issuance of notes issued in anticipation of Additional Bonds, the largest amount
required to be paid in any succeeding calendar year to meet the estimated interest and principal
maturities of those Additional Bonds anticipated.
The proceeds of any sale of Additional Bonds shall be allocated in the manner provided in
the ordinance authorizing their issuance. Junior lien or other subordinate bonds and other
subordinate City obligations payable from the Nontax Revenues may be issued or incurred without
limitation.
The Additional Bonds shall bear such designation as may be necessary to distinguish them
from the Notes or other Additional Bonds having different provisions and shall have maturities,
interest rates, interest payment dates, redemption provisions, denominations and other provisions
as provided in the ordinances hereafter adopted providing for the issuance of the Additional Bonds;
provided, however, that those terms and provisions shall not be inconsistent with this Ordinance
to the extent it governs the issuance and terms of Additional Bonds.
Section 12.
If applicable, the City covenants that it will use, and will restrict the use and investment of,
the proceeds of the Notes in such manner and to such extent as may be necessary so that (a) the
Notes will not (i) constitute private activity bonds or arbitrage bonds under Sections 141 or 148 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or (ii) be treated other than as bonds

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the interest on which is excluded from gross income under Section 103 of the Code, and (b) the
interest on the Notes will not be an item of tax preference under Section 57 of the Code.
If applicable, the City further covenants that (a) it will take or cause to be taken such actions
that may be required of it for the interest on the Notes to be and remain excluded from gross income
for federal income tax purposes, (b) it will not take or authorize to be taken any actions that would
adversely affect that exclusion, and (c) it, or persons acting for it, will, among other acts of
compliance, (i) apply the proceeds of the Notes to the governmental purpose of the borrowing, (ii)
restrict the yield on investment property, (iii) make timely and adequate payments to the federal
government, (iv) maintain books and records and make calculations and reports and (v) refrain
from certain uses of those proceeds, and, as applicable, of property financed with such proceeds,
all in such manner and to the extent necessary to assure such exclusion of that interest under the
Code.
If applicable, the Finance Director, as the fiscal officer, or any other officer of the City
having responsibility for issuance of the Notes is hereby authorized (a) to make or effect any
election, selection, designation, choice, consent, approval, or waiver on behalf of the City with
respect to the Notes as the City is permitted to or required to make or give under the federal income
tax laws, including, without limitation thereto, any of the elections available under Section 148 of
the Code, for the purpose of assuring, enhancing or protecting favorable tax treatment or status of
the Notes or interest thereon or assisting compliance with requirements for that purpose, reducing
the burden or expense of such compliance, reducing the rebate amount or payments or penalties
with respect to the Notes, or making payments of special amounts in lieu of making computations
to determine, or paying, excess earnings as rebate, or obviating those amounts or payments with
respect to the Notes, which action shall be in writing and signed by the officer, (b) to take any and
all other actions, make or obtain calculations, make payments, and make or give reports, covenants
and certifications of and on behalf of the City, as may be appropriate to assure the exclusion of
interest from gross income and the intended tax status of the Notes, and (c) to give one or more
appropriate certificates of the City, for inclusion in the transcript of proceedings for the Notes,
setting forth the reasonable expectations of the City regarding the amount and use of all the
proceeds of the Notes, the facts, circumstances and estimates on which they are based, and other
facts and circumstances relevant to the tax treatment of the interest on and the tax status of the
Notes. The Finance Director or any other officer of the City having responsibility for issuance of
the Notes is specifically authorized to designate the Notes as “qualified tax-exempt obligations” if
such designation is applicable and desirable, and to make any related necessary representations
and covenants.
Each covenant made in this Section with respect to the Notes is also made with respect to
all issues any portion of the debt service on which is paid from proceeds of the Notes (and, if
different, the original issue and any refunding issues in a series of refundings), to the extent such
compliance is necessary to assure the exclusion of interest on the Notes from gross income for
federal income tax purposes, and the officers identified above are authorized to take actions with
respect to those issues as they are authorized in this Section to take with respect to the Notes.

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Section 13.
Bond Counsel. The legal services of the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, as
bond counsel, are hereby retained. Those legal services shall be in the nature of legal advice and
recommendations as to the documents and the proceedings in connection with the authorization,
sale and issuance of the Notes and securities issued in renewal of the Notes and rendering at
delivery related legal opinions. In providing those legal services, as an independent contractor and
in an attorney-client relationship, that firm shall not exercise any administrative discretion on
behalf of this City in the formulation of public policy, expenditure of public funds, enforcement
of laws, rules and regulations of the State of Ohio, any county or municipal corporation or of this
City, or the execution of public trusts. For those legal services, that firm shall be paid just and
reasonable compensation and shall be reimbursed for actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
providing those legal services. To the extent they are not paid or reimbursed pursuant to the
Certificate of Award, the Note Purchase Agreement and/or the Note Registrar Agreement, the
Finance Director is authorized and directed to make appropriate certification as to the availability
of funds for those fees and any reimbursement and to issue an appropriate order for their timely
payment as written statements are submitted by that firm. The amounts necessary to pay those
fees and any reimbursement are hereby appropriated from the proceeds of the Notes, if available,
and otherwise from available moneys in the General Fund.
Section 14.
Municipal Advisor. The services of Bradley Payne, LLC, as municipal advisor, are hereby
retained. The municipal advisory services shall be in the nature of financial advice and
recommendations in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes. In rendering those
municipal advisory services, as an independent contractor, that firm shall not exercise any
administrative discretion on behalf of the City in the formulation of public policy, expenditure of
public funds, enforcement of laws, rules and regulations of the State of Ohio, the City or any other
political subdivision, or the execution of public trusts. That firm shall be paid just and reasonable
compensation for those municipal advisory services and shall be reimbursed for the actual out-ofpocket expenses it incurs in rendering those municipal advisory services. To the extent they are
not paid or reimbursed pursuant to the Certificate of Award, the Note Purchase Agreement and/or
the Note Registrar Agreement, the Finance Director is authorized and directed to make appropriate
certification as to the availability of funds for those fees and any reimbursement and to issue an
appropriate order for their timely payment as written statements are submitted by that firm. The
amounts necessary to pay those fees and any reimbursement are hereby appropriated from the
proceeds of the Notes, if available, and otherwise from available moneys in the General Fund.
Section 15.
Notification of Note Issuance. The Finance Director is authorized and directed to provide
the notification required by Section 165.03(D) of the Ohio Revised Code to the Director of the
Ohio Department of Development.

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Section 16.
Satisfaction of Conditions for Note Issuance. This Council determines that all acts and
conditions necessary to be done or performed by the City or to have been met precedent to and in
the issuing of the Notes in order to make them legal, valid and binding special obligations of the
City have been performed and have been met, or will at the time of delivery of the Notes have
been performed and have been met, in regular and due form as required by law; that no statutory
or constitutional limitation of indebtedness or taxation will have been exceeded in the issuance of
the Notes; and that the Notes are being authorized and issued pursuant to the Act, the Charter of
the City, this Ordinance, the Certificate of Award and other authorizing provisions of law.
Section 17.
Compliance with Open Meeting Requirements. This Council finds and determines that all
formal actions of this Council and any of its committees concerning and relating to the passage of
this Ordinance were taken in an open meeting of this Council or any of its committees, and that all
deliberations of this Council and of any of its committees that resulted in those formal actions were
in meetings open to the public, all in compliance with the law, including Section 121.22 of the
Ohio Revised Code.
Section 18.
by law.

Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect at the earliest date permitted

Elizabeth Slamka, Mayor
1st reading:
2nd reading:
Adopted:
Effective:
Attest:

Clerk of City Council

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STAFF REPORT
For the Business Meeting of May 19, 2026

DATE:

May 9, 2026

TO:

Ashley Combs, City Manager

FROM:

Samantha Zimmerman, Finance Director

Towne Mall Site Acquisition Bond Anticipation Notes Rollover
PURPOSE
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Finance Director to issue new bond
anticipation notes (BANs) to pay off the existing series of BANs issued in 2025 for the
acquisition of the Towne Mall site.
BACKGROUND and FINDINGS
In 2024, City Council authorized the issuance of BANs for the acquisition of the Towne Mall site.
The City issued $7,450,000 in BANs last year to fund the purchase of the Towne Mall site in
2024.
In 2025, City Council authorized the issuance of BANs to pay off the existing debt and rollover
the debt for an additional year. The City issued $7,897,000 in BANs to rollover the debt related
to the acquisition to cover the principal and interest amount of outstanding indebtedness for
another year while redevelopment efforts occurred.
The proposed legislation authorizes the Finance Director to issue up to $8,200,000 in BANs to
cover the principal and interest amount of outstanding indebtedness and rollover for an
additional year so that redevelopment efforts can continue.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact of this action increases the City’s outstanding debt load for the site. This is
planned to be a temporary situation as the City works to execute a final development agreement
for the site that will pay off most of the outstanding debt.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may elect not to move forward with the proposed legislation to issue BANs or
modify the issuance limit.
EMERGENCY/NON EMERGENCY
Non-emergency
cc:

Tom Smith, Community and Economic Development Director
Jacob Schulte, Assistant Community and Economic Development Director

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UNFINISHED
BUSINESS

Page 118 of 121

NEW BUSINESS

Page 119 of 121

Ordinance No. O2026-27, an ordinance authorizing additional funds for the contract with Bryx, Inc.
for the fire station alerting system and declaring an emergency. APPROVED

Page 120 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
2.

Page 121 of 121

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (1) To consider the appointment of a
public employee or official.
Mayor Slamka is the DMI representative and Vice Mayor Carter is the Alternate.

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