SWEARING IN … Wauseon Mayor Kathy Huner stands in the council chambers and swears in city council members Steve Schneider, Heather Galbraith, and Harold Stickley.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held its first meeting of the year on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence, before the council moved into the swearing in of councilors Harold Stickley, Steve Schneider, and Heather Galbraith.
After the oath of office was administered by Mayor Huner, the council proceeded with roll call and moved into regular business.
Council approved the minutes from the special council meeting held on December 30, 2025, as presented.
There were no individuals wishing to address the council during the public comment portion of the meeting, and no committee reports were given.
Department head reports followed, beginning with Fire Chief Phil Kessler, who reported the department closed out the previous year with a high call volume and has begun the new year at a steady pace.
Kessler said the department continues to work with Terry Henricks Ford to complete the installation of a transmission in one of the city’s ambulances, which he expects to be finished later in the week.
He also reported the department is working with Zoll to bring representatives in to provide training on new heart monitoring equipment.
That training will be coordinated with Fulton County Health Center and will allow staff to take the new monitors into the ambulances and out into the field.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden reported the holiday period was steady and relatively quiet, noting officers made one OVI arrest over the holiday weekend.
He added that the department has begun gathering information and compiling end of year reports.
Finance Director Jamie Giguere reported the city officially closed out the 2025 fiscal year earlier that morning.
While full financial reports were not yet distributed, she said income tax revenue exceeded budgeted projections by approximately $34,000.
Law Director Thomas McWatters III then presented Resolution 2026-01, the first piece of legislation introduced to council in the new year.
McWatters explained the resolution was required to certify a pool levy to the Fulton County Auditor so it could be submitted to the Board of Elections.
Due to statutory deadlines, the resolution was presented as emergency legislation. He explained the levy is not intended to generate new revenue, though it must appear as new on the ballot.
The previous levy had been set at 2 mills, while the proposed levy would be 1.6 mills for a five-year term, with the reduction resulting from a missed renewal deadline.
Council President Shane Chamberlin emphasized that the funding is important to the continued operation of the city pool and that this is not new money. Council then moved to approve Resolution 2026-01 as emergency legislation.
Later in the meeting, the council noted there has been no new information received regarding the feasibility study for city-owned buildings.
Councilor Stickley asked about the status of a public works director position, with the mayor responding that no job posting has been issued and the administration is considering potential changes to the job description.
With no further business to come before council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.