By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Stryker held its regular council meeting on June 16 at 6:00 p.m. After beginning with a prayer from Pastor Matt Weaver of Lockport Mennonite Church, the Pledge of Allegiance followed. All council members were in attendance.
Minutes from the May 19 meeting were unanimously approved, along with the financial report. Fiscal Officer Beth Rediger noted that year-to-date revenue totaled $706,000, while expenses stood at $670,000.
This reflects 43% of the budget expended for the year and 45.5% of anticipated revenue received thus far.
Council completed the first reading of Resolution #06-2025-03, which formally opposes Ohio House Bill 335.
The resolution urges the General Assembly to reject the legislation, citing its elimination of unvoted inside millage and the transfer of budgetary control from local officials to unelected county budget commissions.
Council expressed concern that the bill would undermine local governance and financial stability. A full copy of the resolution will be submitted to state representatives, Governor Mike DeWine, and local media.
Under communications, Rediger informed the council that the state auditor’s office recently completed an IT audit.
The Village of Stryker will receive a management letter outlining recommended improvements, many of which will be addressed next year when the income tax software transitions to a cloud-based system.
Mayor Beck announced that four council seats would be up for election in November 2025, with petitions due August 6th. He also reported that the village will receive its full $134,000 allocation in CDBG funds for 2025.
During legislative matters, council approved the reappointment of Kathee Ingram and Anissa Armstrong to the Stryker Income Tax Review Board for terms running from June 2025 through June 2030. Ingram abstained from the vote, while the remaining members voted in favor.
Village Administrator Alan Riegsecker reported that the Ellis Street lift station requires around $11,500 in repairs, to be funded through the sewer fund.
The new village truck is expected to be equipped with a dump bed by the end of June, after which bids will be accepted for the old truck.
Chief of Police Steven Mendez shared his monthly report, emphasizing the department’s offer of free vacation house checks to residents during the summer.
He also announced early planning for a joint community event with the Springfield Police Department to engage local youth.
Under other business, it was noted that six bricks have now been engraved on the Stryker Honor Wall in front of the Senior Center. Forms for additional engravings are available at the Village Office at a cost of $75 per brick.
Council also voted to move the Stryker Fall Fest and Trick-or-Treat activities to November 1st. Trick-or-Treat will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
In response to recent social media concerns, Mayor Beck addressed the village’s sidewalk spending, stating that improvement costs have outpaced available revenue.
He noted that past budgets had minimal carryover and that staff are diligent in seeking new grants. Most recently, a grant was secured for $459,000 toward a $771,000 water tower rehabilitation project.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.