Bryan — The Bryan City Council voted unanimously Monday to place a proposed charter amendment on the May 2026 ballot that would dissolve the elected Bryan Board of Public Affairs (BPA) and place Bryan Municipal Utilities (BMU) under the direction and supervision of the mayor and council. The council approved Ordinance No. 43-20-25 on its third reading.

Supporters of keeping the BPA and several residents urged council to slow down and answer specific questions about how the change would affect BMU staffing, wages, budgets and protections for ratepayers. At least two residents and an elected BPA member urged tabling the ordinance until more details are provided.

Council members framed the council vote as a decision to let voters decide how they want to be governed. Council discussion repeatedly emphasized that final structural change would only occur if voters approve the charter amendment at the ballot box.

Public comment and concerns

Annette Shriner, 313 North Cherry Street, asked for detailed answers on how existing BPA resolutions, BMU staffing, and wage protections would be handled under the proposed charter changes and asked the council to table the ordinance until those questions are answered. Shriner said the draft charter "leaves the door open and does not necessarily guarantee the protection of the structure as it stands today." She asked, "Who will have control over staffing for future BMU and also removing the staff? Who will control the wages of the BMU employees?"

An elected member of the Board of Public Affairs (name not specified) told the council they were speaking "not just as an elected member of the Board of Public Affairs, but also someone who deeply values transparency, accountability and long term health of our city utilities." The board member said BPA brings institutional experience and warned consolidation risks "blurring the line" between enterprise utility funds and the city's general fund. The speaker provided budget figures for BPA, saying BPA was budgeted at $62,700 for 2025 but actual costs would be about $30,001.42 to $32,295.

Deborah Holbrook Beavers, 1117 South Portland Street, called the BPA "local, experienced, and yours" and noted that with more than 6,000 ratepayers the BPA's cost equates to "less than $1 per year" per ratepayer. She asked council members to explain "Why now?" and why council believes it can manage utilities better than an elected board.

Council response and statutory note

Council members repeatedly said the issue belonged to voters. One council member said, "the people need to decide how they want to be governed," and framed the action as placing the question before voters rather than making the structural change directly.

During discussion, a council member referenced Ohio Revised Code section 572.781 when explaining the distribution of the kilowatt-hour tax, stating that the statute directs payment "to such municipal corporation's general fund," and that, under state law, the kilowatt-hour tax is paid to the city's general fund rather than held in the electric department's budget. The council discussion included a clarification that BMU would continue to exist as an operating utility regardless of the structural outcome and that some trust exists in BMU management and operations.

Formal action and outcome

On a motion to approve Ordinance No. 43-20-25 (third reading as amended) to place the charter amendment before voters, the council vote was recorded as: John — Yes; Jim — Yes; Rick — Yes; Steve — Yes; Mary — Yes. The motion passed. Council members who spoke said the measure would go to the ballot and that any governance change would take effect only if approved by voters.

Votes at a glance (other items acted on Oct. 6)

- Minutes approval (Sept. 15): motion to approve passed (voice roll call recorded as unanimous).
- Ordinance No. 45-20-25 (transfer of funds through 10/31/2025): motion to suspend rules and approve passed (roll call: Jim — Yes; Steve — Yes; Rick — Yes; John — Yes; Mary — Yes). Council stated transfers correspond to the adopted 2025 budget.
- Ordinance No. 46-20-25 (Change Order No. 1 — 2025 Asphalt Program; final change order deduct $45,212.35): motion to approve passed (roll call recorded unanimous). Final project accounting reflected the deduct and closure of the contract.
- Ordinance No. 47-20-25 (Change Order No. 1 — 2025 Pavement/Parking Program; final deduct $10,142): motion to approve passed unanimously; staff said some streets were moved to the asphalt contract, producing the deduct.
- Building permit for Amtrak platform and shelter (contractor: George Allen Construction; construction cost approximately $4,600,000; 350-foot enclosed, ADA-compliant platform and restrooms): motion to approve passed unanimously. City staff said the project is funded with federal dollars; best estimate for construction duration is 1–3 years due to coordination with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern (staff noted about 60–70 trains per 24-hour period through Bryan, which extends work timelines).

What happened next / implementation notes

The council's vote places the charter amendment on the ballot; it will become effective only if approved by voters. Several public speakers and a BPA member urged that council provide clearer guarantees in the charter or delay the measure so BMU staffing, wage protection, and the status of existing BPA resolutions can be fully reviewed and explained. Council members said they will present the question and facts to voters over the coming months.

Ending

Council adjourned after completing the agenda. Several speakers thanked the council and reiterated opposition to dissolving an elected BPA; council members said they will move forward with voter consideration and that the city will inform the public of the scheduled ballot question and related details.