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A copy of the resolution, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mayor Duncan explained that Katie Smiddy has served as Oakwood’s City Manager since November 1, 2024. As agreed in her original employment contract, Council recently conducted a review of her job performance to date. Council is pleased to report that she is serving the City of Oakwood well.

Since City Manager Smiddy works under an employment contract, she does not automatically receive annual cost-of-living raises in the same manner as other City employees. The resolution will approve an amendment to her contract, authorizing the same 3.75% salary increase that was given to other City employees for 2026. The City will also increase its contribution to the Ohio Deferred Compensation program on City Manager Smiddy’s behalf, from 4% of her annual salary to 6%. Both of these adjustments are retroactive to January 1, 2026.

Thereupon, it was moved by Mayor Duncan and seconded by Vice Mayor Byington that the resolution be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCAN YEA
MR. STEVEN BYINGTON YEA
MRS. LEIGH TURBEN YEA
MRS. HEALY JACKSON YEA
MR. SAM DORF YEA

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said resolution was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

AN ORDINANCE
BY VICE MAYOR BYINGTON NO 5033
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY’S PERSONNEL SCHEDULE, ORDINANCE NUMBER 5026, TO CORRECT THE MAXIMUM PAY RATES FOR TWO JOB CLASSIFICATIONS, AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION I, 2026 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 5025, AND ANY EXISTING SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF:
1.
MULTIPLE TRANSFERS FROM THE SELF-FUNDED INSURANCE TRUST FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND, REFUSE FUND, SMITH MEMORIAL GARDENS FUND, STREET MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FUND, LEISURE ACTIVITY FUND, HEALTH FUND, AND WATER OPERATING FUND, EFFECTIVELY REALLOCATING “OPERATING” EXPENSES OF SAID TRUST FUND AS “PERSONNEL” EXPENSES OF THE VARIOUS OTHER FUNDS, FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OFFERING TRADITIONAL VISION INSURANCE AS AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RATHER THAN A SELF-FUNDED VISION INSURANCE PROGRAM;
FOR THE CITY OF OAKWOOD, STATE OF OHIO, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that this is a supplemental appropriation ordinance to reflect that the City is now offering employees a traditional vision insurance plan instead of a self-funded vision insurance program. The ordinance allows the Finance Director to move $11,550 from the Self-Funded Insurance Trust Fund into several other accounting funds. Effectively, it re-characterizes that money as “personnel” expenses rather than the “operating” expenses associated with a self-funded program. It does not change the City’s overall expenditures for the year.

This was a first reading of the ordinance, so Vice Mayor Byington made no motion.