WAGNER … Jacy Wagner (left), who has taken a position as a patrol officer with APD, was sworn in by Mayor Brad Grime.
PHOTOS BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
LEHMAN … Mayor Brad Grime (right) swears in one of APD’s newest officers, Jeff Lehman.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Archbold Village Council met for a double meeting with all members in attendance, including Gary Dominique, Mike Evans, Kevin Eicher, Aaron Babcock, Chad Kern and Karla Ball. Also on hand were Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt and Council Clerk Cassie Storrer.
The council proceeded with a special meeting for the purpose of requesting a certificate of estimated property tax revenue/millage.
Mayor Grime opened the floor to Fulton County Auditor Brett Kolb, who briefly explained that the legislation would need to be passed as an emergency, since a resolution to place the levy on the ballot is to be submitted to the Fulton County Board of Elections by February 4.
Village Administrator Alt added that a renewal of the current levy is crucial since the village operates on a very tight general fund budget.
After all council members voted to suspend the rules, Karla Ball made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Chad Kern, and the council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-05 declaring it necessary to levy a tax.
Moving on to its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., the council proceeded through the formalities of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence before approving the minutes of the January 5, 2026, meeting, accepting the December 2025 and Year-End financials, and authorizing the payment of $354,215.99 in bills and payroll.
Referring to the financial reports, Administrator Alt encouraged the council members to take note of the expenditures totaling $16,059,070.49 compared to $18,914,713.87 in revenue.
“(I’m) very pleased with how the expenditures came out for the year…we controlled our expenses quite a bit,” Alt added. “There are wild cards in these budgets. You never know what you may need to plan for.”
Turning to the audience area, Mayor Grime then welcomed APD’s newest officers, Jacy Wagner and Jeff Lehman, and asked them to come to the front so that they could be sworn in.
Shifting to legislative items, in Resolution 2026-06, the council revisited the tax levy discussion to proceed with placing a 3.3 mill renewal levy on the ballot.
Offering additional details, Alt addressed the council, “This renewal is actually only a 2.165 mil. So, because we’re not going for an increase, we’re maintaining just the dollars; the mills go down, which, therefore, it will only collect what it originally was collecting back, when it first went into effect in January of 2022.
“This was on the ballot November of 2021 as a 3.3 mil renewal. It captured the new valuation instead of the old, which then brought that up to 400-some thousand (dollars).
Had it been renewed last year, it would have captured what is now approximately $519,000, but it will only be $404,098. So it’s $76 for each $100,000 valuation.
“So, the thing about this levy or this millage is if we saw a bunch of new development coming into town, new homes and so forth, this does not go up.
“It actually takes the tax burden and reduces it on those who live here. So, we start filling up Peacefield (Subdivision), we see some expansions, and some new developments coming into Archbold, they start taking a share of this, which…everybody in the community, their property taxes will go down marginally on that.”
Alt also noted ongoing concerns about the possible elimination of property taxes in Ohio, which currently generate about $920,000–$925,000 for the village’s general fund.
If property taxes were eliminated, the village would face a significant general fund shortfall.
He emphasized the need to proactively develop a contingency and action plan rather than waiting to see what happens, including evaluating other taxing options.
“For now, it is my recommendation that we stay the course and at least get this on the ballot to maintain these dollars,” Alt concluded.
Kern questioned whether the ballot would list the levy as 3.3 mills or 2.165 mills. Alt explained that he believed the ballot would state “3.3 mill renewal,” while the detailed language would reference 2.165 mills.
Following suspension of the rules, Chad Kern made a motion to approve, with Evans seconding, and Resolution 2026-06 was unanimously approved.
Council also approved Resolution 2026-07, which accepts a proposal from Laria Chevrolet Buick for a 2026 Chevy Silverado 4×2 work truck for the street department, not to exceed $33,200.
Alt added that attempts were made to find a single-cab, rear wheel drive pickup locally, but were unsuccessful.
Under Resolution 2026-08, the council voted to accept a proposal from Vermeer of Findlay for a 2026 model chipper for $74,900, also for the street department’s use. The village plans to sell the old chipper on GovDeals, and Alt estimated it could bring in between $15,000 and $18,000.
Reports before the council included the APD December 2025 and Year-End 2025 Report, Wastewater Treatment Plant 2025 Year in Review, and the Water Treatment Plant 2025 Year in Review.
Council also reviewed meeting minutes from the January 5 Finance Committee regarding new hires for the police department, as well as the Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from January 13 regarding the tax levy review.
Before adjourning, Mayor Grime asked Village Planner and Zoning Inspector Grant Schaffner if he had any updates. Schaffner shared that the Casey’s convenience store project is currently at the “Wood County” stage in planning.
Ohio Gas and Casey’s are also working together to obtain easements to reroute the current gas main on Schlatter Street to a location that would support future development.
Council was also informed by Schaffner that there is a Planning Commission meeting set for February 9, during which members will review the site plan for a potential Taco Bell located in the same area as Casey’s.
The next regular Archbold Village Council meeting is slated for Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.