THANK YOU … Mary Leatherman (left) was presented with an award from Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade after serving as Bryan City Council president for the past two years on Monday, January 5.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council entered into an updated agreement with the Williams County Board of Commissioners to offer collaborative emergency medical services at its meeting on Monday, January 5.
The agreement between the Williams County Emergency Medical Services and the Bryan Fire Department provides similar emergency services to the City of Bryan.
Bryan Fire Chief Doug Pool told council members there were a few modifications to the agreement.
“A lot of this has to do with our time of availability,” said Pool. “What we found, we could provide a lot more service at no more cost when people are there going to make those calls.
“We also worked on some transport issues with Williams County. We’re doing some non-emergency transports and taking some of the pressure off the county system.
“Again, we’re not calling anybody in, not adding anything in wages, and we’re using their equipment.”
Another part of the agreement is that the city will be purchasing a cardiac monitor. Based on the county funding, they weren’t able to provide one for the city.
Pool said several of the parts of the cardiac monitor had already arrived, but he added the agreement also includes a buy-back option if the monitor falls apart over a five-year period.
“We’re trying to work together and keep their system as solvent as possible,” noted the fire chief.
“Right now, the county is completely funded through their calls. Last year, there were 1,235 EMS calls, and it included calls that the city would have gone to.”
The fire chief added that there was a question about reimbursement through insurance, which he also mentioned as of October 22, 2025.
“There was a total of nine transports through reimbursement from May to July 2025, totaled $340.40. Some of them were never paid, while others were paid at Medicaid rates, which are lower,” Pool commented.
Council member John Betts told Pool he had attended several meetings with the county commissioners and said that many people had felt the EMS was double-dipping at the time and then asked why.
“This is why they (Williams County) needed the levy, and that’s why to keep the service,” said Betts. “I think it’s important for us to continue since it has no significant impact on the city, yet provides the service is very necessary.”
Council member Jim Kozumplik made the motion to suspend the rules, and Stephen Alspaugh seconded it before the council approved it by a 5-0 vote.
“I appreciate you (council) for giving us the opportunity to have this collaborative agreement with Williams County,” said Mayor Carrie Schlade.
“This agreement is important to our residents, especially in the long run with the EMS service.”
Council approved a collective bargaining agreement between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 243 and the City of Bryan Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The three-year contract, which already took effect on January 1, 2026, and goes through December 31, 2028, includes a $2 dollar equity adjustment for 2026, followed by $1 dollar equity adjustment and a four percent pay increase for 2027 and 2028.
The agreement will also see a clothing allowance increase from $325 to $450 for each employee.
Approval was given to the Bryan Police Department, authorizing Police Chief Greg Ruskey to apply for a 2026 grant. The grant will go towards the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program.
Ruskey was also granted approval to begin testing for a new patrol officer following the resignation of a patrol officer, which became effective on January 5.
Council approved a request for the issuance of a D-1 liquor permit to Saunders Theater Operations, 3 LLC of Bryan. Council member Richard Hupe waived the need for a hearing regarding the liquor permit request.
In other action, John Betts was elected council president for 2026 with Richard Hupe serving as vice president.
Council also approved committee appointments for 2026: Budget: Mary Leatherman; Finance & Audit: Jim Kozumplik; Wage: John Betts; Tax Incentive Review: Stephen Alspaugh and Mayor Carrie Schlade; Negotiations Team: Richard Hupe; Revolving Loan Fund: Leatherman; and BIPAC: Betts.
Also approved were Prevailing Wage Coordinators: Brian Wieland and Tiana Traxler, and Prevailing American Disabilities Act: Patrick Thorp.
Council went into an executive session to discuss employment and compensation of a public employee, with no action taken.