The Newark City Council finance committee met on Nov. 17, 2025, and approved a series of budget and procurement items, including authority to appropriate up to $1,000,000 for anticipated year-end receipts and grant funds.

The meeting began with a brief administrative note: an unidentified speaker moved to exit an earlier executive session; the motion (moved by Cost and seconded by Labutis) carried in a roll-call vote of unanimous "yes," and the personnel committee adjourned with a statement that no decision had been made during executive session.

Meeting attendees were informed that the unappropriated balance of the general fund stood at $216,419 and that the budget stabilization fund balance was $604,768. A staff member said the committee had received a $250 donation from Tractor Supply and asked that the amount be returned to the budget; Councilmember Barker moved the appropriation and Councilmember Hauser seconded. The committee approved the $250 appropriation, 5-0.

The committee next approved unappropriating $16,000 in proceeds from a log-in contract, again on a motion by Barker and a second from Hauser, with the motion passing 5-0. Later, staff requested authority to appropriate up to $1,000,000 to accommodate anticipated "green funds" and year-end needs; Barker moved the authorization, Hauser seconded, and the committee approved the measure unanimously.

Committee members also considered two resolutions. Resolution 25-76 authorizes and directs the director to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for materials and services used by the water, wastewater and street departments; the chair said this is standard procurement legislation. The committee approved Resolution 25-76 on a unanimous vote. Resolution 25-77, described as standard preliminary legislation from the Ohio Department of Transportation, authorizes resurfacing and related curb-ramp work on a state route with work planned for 2027; staff said ODOT would pay for the project. The committee approved Resolution 25-77, 5-0.

The chair announced that Scott DeHart will appear at the committee’s Dec. 1 meeting, likely virtually, to update members in executive session on negotiations. The committee then opened the floor to audience questions before adjourning.

Votes at a glance: Exit executive session — motion moved by Cost, seconded by Labutis; outcome: approved (unanimous). Appropriation, $250 (Tractor Supply donation) — motion by Barker, second by Hauser; outcome: approved, 5-0. Appropriation, $16,000 (contract proceeds) — motion by Barker, second by Hauser; outcome: approved, 5-0. Authorization, up to $1,000,000 — motion by Barker, second by Hauser; outcome: approved, 5-0. Resolution 25-76 (advertise for bids/enter contracts) — outcome: approved, 5-0. Resolution 25-77 (resurfacing and curb ramps) — outcome: approved, 5-0.

The committee did not record any dissenting votes; items passed unanimously. The chair noted that no formal personnel decisions were made in executive session and that the DeHart update will return to executive session at the next meeting.