PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
JUNIOR FIREFIGHTER … From left Mayor Bob Day, Isabella Oliver, Natasha Rioux, and Assistant Chief Bob Adkins pose as Isabella is approved as a Junior Firefighter.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Village Council first held its regular scheduled meeting, followed by a detailed Finance Committee meeting for the upcoming 2026 budget.
The council meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mayor Bob Day. Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht took roll call; all members were present: Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, Pam Wampler, Lance Bowsher, Sharon Blinzler, and Chuck Wallace.
Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles and Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht were also in attendance, as is customary.
With a lengthy schedule and tight timeframe, business moved quickly into agenda items, starting with the approval of the meeting minutes from the previous meeting on October 15.
First, VanAusdale commented that the minutes were not on the drive where they are normally located but were available via email, as a point of awareness.
With no questions or comments, VanAusdale motioned to approve. All members approved except Wallace, who abstained due to his absence at the previous meeting.
Moving along, a minor agenda change was made to accommodate some special audience members. A motion was made to approve a new Junior Firefighter, Isabella Oliver.
Assistant Chief Bob Adkins provided further details that Oliver would be the sixth member. Oliver plans to pursue a career in fire service, and the fire department is very happy to have her.
The agreed-upon payment would be $25 per month, effective November 1. With all details presented, Blinzler motioned to approve, and Gruver seconded. All members voted to approve.
Reports and Finance
The agenda moved into reports, with Mayor Day presenting the Mayor’s report first. He started by expressing how grateful he was to Mainstreet Edgerton, the Edgerton Police Department, and the community for a successful Trick or Treat and Trunk or Treat event.
He added that he received several comments about hosting a costume contest, which has been done in previous years, and will be discussed for next year.
The administrator report followed, with Fitzcharles reminding council of the upcoming Santa Parade on November 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Moving on, she requested a motion from the council to rescind the previously approved EMR class funding. The funding is no longer required, and since the council approved the funds, it is required that the funding be rescinded, which VanAusdale motioned.
Gruver asked for clarification on whether this was a one-time expense or a fund, and Fitzcharles confirmed it was a one-time expense. Gruver then seconded, and all council members approved.
Fitzcharles then announced her plans to host two separate days for council tours. Stating it happened several years ago, she would like to give the council the opportunity to tour the village facilities and see the upgrades and current projects.
Fitzcharles extended the invitation to any members of the Fire Department or Police Department to join.
The tours are expected to occur in the first or second week of December. She added that she is happy to meet with any Council member one-on-one to discuss specific questions or facilities.
Fiscal Officer Knecht followed, presenting the Council with the October financials via email.
She also provided the credit card policy review from September 16 through October 15. The final item in the Fiscal Officer’s report was a motion to pay the outstanding bills.
Gruver asked about an expense listed for a rental car. Fitzcharles explained that instead of employees taking a work vehicle, such as a dump truck, it was determined to rent a car to allow two employees to travel to the required training.
Fitzcharles explained the many drawbacks to employees using their personal vehicles outside of local travel within the village. She also explained that these trainings were virtual during COVID, but many have transitioned back to in-person.
Denise Knecht also added that fall is a very busy time of year for mandated training, which can leave the village short on vehicles to use. VanAusdale then made the motion to approve, and Wampler seconded. The motion was passed by all members.
Committee Reports
Fitzcharles presented the Wage and Compensation Committee report first. The meeting was held on October 23 at 5:00 p.m. Discussion highlights included the 2025 budget progress.
The committee reviewed the setup of the annual wage ordinance. The wage scale shifts according to the Ohio minimum wage, which was announced in September to increase by 2.4%, from $10.70 to $11.00 an hour.
Other compensation updates show no premium changes will occur with dental and vision coverage; however, medical will increase by 2.5%, averaging about $18 per month.
Also increasing will be the individual deductible, up from $3,300 to $3,400. Fitzcharles noted these are regulated by the IRS.
The committee reviewed the HSA match, where the village will match the employee contribution. The recommendation was to raise the maximum HSA match to $1,700.
Recommendations from the committee on police and fire include increasing on-call compensation to two hours and four hours per day, with the maximum of 60 days per year remaining unchanged.
This increases the allowable response time from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Also recommended was an increase from $1 to $1.50 for each licensure or certificate achieved by village employees, from 2026 moving forward.
The holidays will remain the same at 14 per year. Paid time off benefits (including holidays, personal time, and paid time off) are being recommended for part-time employees, contingent upon an hour requirement.
Recommendations are being solicited from each department. Many departments have relied on part-time positions to mitigate staffing shortages due to a lack of workforce.
A cost-of-living wage increase of 3% is recommended, with performance reviews netting up to an additional 1% increase in wages.
The Park Committee meeting was next, held on October 27. Fitzcharles commented that it was a good meeting with several members of the public present. The committee reviewed the proposed 2026 park budget and village financials related to park operation and capital through October 31, 2025.
The General Fund supports Parks and Recreation. Highlights included the progress on the community center, which will ideally be enclosed before winter to support interior work.
Also highlighted was the completed disc golf course and work completed on the baseball and softball diamonds.
Working with an environmental engineer to get a funding strategy for the development of the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project.
The community was polled for ideas, and several possible recreation areas include tennis courts, pickleball, a walking path, and a canoe launch site. Funding is currently being pursued.
For 2026, the park and recreation capital budget will look smaller due to some funds already being allocated to complete projects that began in 2025.
A community request came from Jeff Lyon, a member of Mainstreet Edgerton, for the construction of a public music stage for Miller Park.
The proposed stage would include two small storage rooms. When events are held in the area, a stage would be very advantageous for not only live music but also special presentations.
Currently, a stage is rented for each event. Once more details are gathered, a presentation will be made to the council.
Fitzcharles was also approached about a dog park as an Eagle Scout project. The funds would be raised by the Scouts to construct the park. This will also be presented to the council once more information is put together.
Wallace asked if there were locations for both projects. Fitzcharles explained that it is part of the current discussion, but nothing has been decided.
Mayor Day added that the stage would also be advantageous for medal presentations during cross-country meets held at Miller Park. Day said that is part of the reason he likes partnering with other organizations.
Bowsher asked about funding, and Day stated Mainstreet Edgerton is looking into funding options. Fitzcharles added that there is still a lot to be worked out—these are early discussions.
Following was the Planning Commission meeting, held on October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Highlights included a recent approval for a triplex at 408 South Michigan Ave and a parcel split at 418 North Michigan Avenue.
Bowsher added that the reason it had to be approved through the Planning Commission was that it was a triplex instead of a duplex. If it were merely a duplex, no approval would be required.
Fitzcharles agreed it is an allowable use, but, according to code, it has to have a public notice and come before the Planning Commission.
Wallace asked for clarification on the location, as he thought it was across from St. Mary’s Church.
Day clarified it was a little further south on an empty lot where a house was recently removed. Fitzcharles added that the area was surveyed and that a building permit would be required as well.
Motions, Resolutions, and Ordinances
After committee reports, the agenda moved into motions, resolutions, and ordinances. First was a motion to approve invoices and issue payment for August Mack for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project, totaling $97,040.74, covering two invoices from October and November. The motion was made by Bowsher, seconded by VanAusdale, and approved by all.
Ordinance number 1160 followed. This was the second reading of the ordinance to reclassify a residential zoning area at 313 West Railroad St. Gruver made the motion, and Blinzler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2025-015 authorized the Village Administrator to apply for, accept, and enter into a water supply revolving loan account agreement for the water treatment plant rehabilitation project. Fitzcharles explained that this is the same funding source used for the water tower.
The project had been nominated and approved. They are ready to solicit bids, but the official application needs to be authorized first. More financial figures will be known when the bids are obtained.
This project has been in the budget for two years, with the current up-to amount of $306,490. VanAusdale made the motion to approve, and Wampler seconded. All members approved the motion.
A motion to approve an employee’s status change within the electric department followed. Dakota Burke completed his Line Worker One training and the first module through the Northwest Lineman College.
This moves Burke from trainee status to a probationary Line Worker One classification, also increasing wages by $1 retroactive to when the certification was completed on October 23.
This information was stipulated in his contract and approved in the 2025 budget as well. Wampler motioned to approve the change, and Gruver seconded, with all members approving.
The last agenda item was informational, not requiring any action. Police Officer Ashlyn Figy completed the required training to be certified as an Evidence Technician, a wage increase of $0.50 per hour. Figy will be responsible for evidence maintenance and handling within the department.
A brief opportunity for council discussion started with Wallace, who questioned the state of Gas Street. Fitzcharles explained they anticipated some settling.
Two emergency repairs were completed, and they anticipate that more work will be done in the spring. Day also added that he would share a picture of the large crack that was repaired.
VanAusdale complimented the recently redone flooring in the hallways outside of council chambers, then motioned to adjourn.
Wampler seconded, with all members approving the adjournment at 6:15 p.m.