By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Pioneer held its finance and safety committee meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Pioneer Community Center.
Committee members in attendance were Tiler Williams, Randy Mills, Bryan Gendron, Al Fiser and Joe Nickloy. Also in attendance were Nikki Mittelstaedt, Mayor Ed Kidston, Village Administrator Anthony Burnett and Fire Chief Rodger Swank.
The Pioneer Fire Department was awarded a $50,000 Small County Volunteer Fire Department grant for exterior improvements to the Public Safety Building.
The committee reviewed the project quote and determined how the grant funds would be applied and whether to move forward with the village paying $9,985 from the general fund.
Williams, who also serves as assistant fire chief, presented two proposed options.
Option A would replace five overhead garage doors but would exceed $75,000, triggering prevailing wage and formal bidding requirements that would significantly increase costs.
The overhead garage doors are currently operational, and the committee agreed replacements are not urgent and could be addressed separately in the future.
Option B focuses on full exterior renovations and keeps the total at $59,985, below the $75,000 threshold, thereby avoiding prevailing wage and bidding requirements.
The Option B proposal includes: a new steel roof, steel siding, trim, soffit and fascia; replacement of two deteriorated steel entry doors; replacement of one original window; and removal and disposal of existing cedar siding and shingles. The grant would cover $50,000 with the village responsible for $9,985 of the cost.
Kidston noted that he recently applied for a grant for a new police station, council chamber and history center. Because future interior space usage could change if that project moves forward, the committee agreed to limit current improvements to exterior work only.
The consensus among committee members was to proceed with Option B, submit the necessary grant paperwork and place the item on the upcoming council agenda for formal approval.
Discussion also centered on whether to cancel the previously ordered fire truck.
The village received confirmation from the manufacturer that the order can be canceled with a full refund of the $435,000 deposit, provided the company has 90 days to resell the truck.
If the truck sells within that timeframe, the village receives 100% of its money back. If it does not sell within 90 days, the village would proceed with completing and purchasing the truck.
Kidston expressed that Pioneer’s current fire equipment is sufficient to serve the village’s needs, especially since mutual aid would respond to any large-scale fire. He emphasized that Pioneer’s taxpayers should not bear additional financial strain when current equipment is adequate.
The committee decided to cancel the truck order, allow the manufacturer 90 days to resell it, refund the $435,000 deposit to the general fund and revisit purchasing a new truck when finances and contracts are more stable. The matter will be placed on the upcoming council agenda for a formal vote.
Williams expressed concerns about a costly pump issue on one existing truck, estimated at $20,000 to $25,000 to repair due to obsolete parts.
Gendron also expressed concern about financial uncertainty heading into 2026 and the potential change orders and unexpected costs related to the upcoming solar project.
Pioneer police Lt. Randy Mills presented information about implementing the Flock Safety license plate reader camera system, which is currently being used in Bryan. The system places cameras at entry and exit points of the village.
The cameras automatically scan license plates to identify stolen vehicles, stolen trailers, individuals with warrants and vehicles connected with investigations. The minimum buy-in is two cameras at $3,000 per camera annually. Mills said he is seeking grant funding to offset the cost of the system.
Mills also announced plans to launch the village’s first Citizens Police Academy, anticipated to begin in July for one evening per week for approximately six weeks.
Participants will learn about traffic stops, domestic disputes, the court process and will tour the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. Prosecutors and judges will also present.
There will be no cost to the village. Mills encouraged council members to participate, noting the program will help residents better understand real-world policing.
Burnett raised the issue of installing cameras at the splash pad and park area. A previous quote estimated $9,000 for multiple cameras covering the splash pad, shelter house, playground, baseball fields and basketball court. Concerns were raised about vandalism and the high replacement cost of equipment.
Kidston requested additional financial review on the cameras. The matter will be discussed at the next council meeting once budget figures are available.
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