THE ST. MARYS CITY COUNCIL HELD ITS FIRST MEETING OF 2026, BEGINNING WITH A SIGN DIE AGENDA THAT SEATED THE 2025 COUNCIL MEMBERS TO APPROVE MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 30TH BEFORE ADJOURNING AND SEATING THE NEW 2026 COUNCIL. LAW DIRECTOR ZACH FARRELL ADMINISTERED OATHS OF OFFICE TO THE NEW COUNCIL, INCLUDING COUNCIL PRESIDENT JIM HARRIS AND NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS AARON BUCHANAN AND AARON GILLILAND.

COUNCIL APPROVED RESOLUTIONS OF APPRECIATION FOR FORMER COUNCIL-AT-LARGE MEMBER DAN UELENHANK, WHO SERVED 12 YEARS, AND FOR ARIANNA CHILDRY, WHO COMPLETED THE REMAINDER OF THE FOURTH WARD TERM FOLLOWING THE PASSING OF ROBIN WILLOUGHBY. COUNCIL ALSO HANDLED ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS, INCLUDING NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS FOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM, CLERK OF COUNCIL, AND COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

COUNCIL PASSED THE 2026 CITY BUDGET AND APPROVED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS. ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS APPROVED STREET AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2026 AND AUTHORIZED A DELEGATE TO REPRESENT THE CITY ON THE OHIO MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION BOARD, WITH A SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE MEETING SET FOR JANUARY 19TH AT 5:15 P.M.