(PHOTO BY SIENNA GILL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BUDGET QUESTIONS … Wauseon Mayor Kathy Huner addresses council members’ concerns expenses at Biddle Park.
By: Sienna Gill
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council met this week at the Wauseon City Chambers for its bi-monthly meeting. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, as well as a reminder to keep the family of former chamber director Bill Drummer in mind as he passed away over the weekend.
All six council members were found to be present, and minutes from the July 17, 2025, meeting were then approved unanimously following a motion by Council President Shane Chamberlin and a second by Councilor Steve Schneider.
A key topic of discussion involved holiday compensation for seasonal employees, specifically lifeguards, who worked during the Fourth of July holiday.
There have been ongoing difficulties in recruiting seasonal staff for these positions, and it has been confirmed that these employees, including those in training, do not currently receive premium holiday pay.
The finance committee recommended offering time and a half for holiday work, estimating the additional cost at approximately $5,000.
It was also advised that overtime should be issued through regular paychecks instead of gift cards in order to ensure consistent compensation across all age groups and job roles.
The council then turned its attention to a proposed $37,000 budget amendment for the scalping of Wauseon ball fields.
The unexpected nature of the request sparked some considerable debate among council members, with several of them expressing their surprise and frustration.
Previous meetings were recalled in which this expense had been explicitly excluded, and concerns were raised over the lack of prior transparency as well as the possibility of budget circumvention.
Some councilors questioned whether the request represented an “ask for forgiveness later” approach. Council President Chamberlin was sure to acknowledge the city’s financial challenges, but on the other hand, he noted that certain maintenance expenses may still be necessary to preserve city assets.
Another topic of discussion was the Glenwood assessment fees, outlining a plan to phase them out over five years. The repayment process will begin on December 1 and will involve five equal, annual payments.
A clear payment schedule will be attached to a future ordinance to ensure the process is straightforward and understandable for Wauseon residents.