Struthers adopts cybersecurity program required by Ohio HB 96; mayor says $20,000 grant will cover changes

Struthers — The Struthers City Council on Dec. 29 adopted an ordinance establishing the city’s cybersecurity program as required by Ohio House Bill 96 and declared the measure an emergency, meeting the state’s requirement to adopt a program before Jan. 1, 2026.

Captain Chacon Miller, identified in the meeting record as mayor, told the council during new business that the city had received a $20,000 grant from KO Consulting LLC to cover the cybersecurity changes. “We did receive another grant last week for $20,000 from KO got us a cybersecurity grant to cover all the changes, and I forgot to mention that, so I apologize,” Miller said.

The ordinance was read into the record and the council moved to suspend the rules before voting to adopt the cybersecurity program. The measure was presented as an emergency ordinance to meet the HB 96 deadline; the text on file with the clerk cites Ohio House Bill 96 as the statutory driver for the requirement to adopt a program prior to 01/01/2026.

Why it matters: HB 96 establishes baseline cybersecurity expectations for local governments in Ohio; adopting a formal program is a step toward compliance and can trigger eligibility for state or private implementation support. Miller’s announcement that a $20,000 grant from KO Consulting LLC will help cover the work reduces the immediate local fiscal impact for implementation.

What’s next: The ordinance was passed as an emergency measure, which accelerates implementation steps. Council members did not discuss operational details in the meeting record; staff follow-up to specify how the grant funds will be used and any procurement or contract steps was implied but not detailed during the session.

Provenance: Topic first appears when the ordinance is read (SEG 171) and the mayor’s grant announcement appears during new business (SEG 401–SEG 408).