PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
2026 BUDGET … Edgerton Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles (left) and village Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht (right) discuss the 2026 budget at the Edgerton Village Council Meeting held on Wednesday, November 19.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council met in regular session on Wednesday, November 19, in the village offices. Council members present were Pam Wampler, Leslie Van Ausdale, Jason Gruver, Lance Bowsher, Sharon Blinzler, and Chuck Wallace.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the council approved the minutes from the November 5 meeting. Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles gave a video presentation on the village’s 2026 budget.
Fitzcharles told council members that the 2026 budget revenue totaled $11,540,719.00 while expenditures for 2026 totaled $13,149,927.00. As of October, the village has a current balance of $9,725,775.00.
Among the budget revenue figures are General Fund ($1,502,428.00), Street Fund ($402,048.00), Fire Fund ($290,591.00), Income Tax Capital ($238,772.00), ODOT/Streets ($2,775,000.00), Water ($778,622.00), Sewer ($1,036,727.00), and Electric ($3,304,362.00).
The 2026 budget will go through three required readings before being approved in December.
“That’s a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of stress and sweat, so we appreciate it,” said Mayor Bob Day, commenting on Fitzcharles’ budget preparation and presentation.
Fiscal officer Denise Knecht reported the village had received a letter from the Ohio Department of Commerce regarding a liquor license permit transfer request from Wehrle-Harding to Motter Ventures.
Knecht told the council that the village has thirty days from the date of the notice if the village has any type of hearing or any objections. She will be sending a letter requesting the transfer despite the license having already been issued.
In other action council approved the following:
-Approval of the MAP Circuit Rider Program. This is done on behalf of the electric department.
-Approval of ODOT Agreement No. 43345 for brine solution. The brine solution costs seven cents per gallon.
-Approval of ODOT Agreement No. 43448 for brine storage. ODOT pays $1,080.00 per year for a tank storage lease.
-Approval of ODOT Agreement No. 43445 for salt storage. ODOT pays a rental cost of $746.25 per year for salt storage.
-Approval of a change order for the Edgerton Community Center of $3,473.81 to Mel Lanzer Company, Napoleon, Ohio, for beams inside the building.
-Passed the third reading of Ordinance No. 1160 reclassifying certain real property under the village zoning code.
-Passed the first reading of Ordinance No. 1161 establishing the permanent appropriations for 2026.
-Passed the first reading of Ordinance No. 1162 establishing the salaries and wages for village employees.
-Accepted the resignation of Edgerton Village Police Auxiliary Officer Jeanette Rude. She has accepted a position with the Williams County Sheriff’s Department.
Council also recognized electric department employee Jeremy Wright for successfully completing courses with the Northwest Lineman College. He will now begin his studies to meet the requirements of becoming a journeyman electric lineman.
Council was reminded of the upcoming Santa Parade on Saturday, November 29, at 6:00 p.m. in the village.
The meeting was then adjourned at 6:35 p.m. The next council meeting is set for Wednesday, December 3, at 5:30 p.m.
