City manager and council highlight volunteerism, school bond prospects and local recognitions

City Manager Katie Smitty opened the manager’s report at Oakwood City Council’s Jan. 5 meeting, wishing residents a happy new year, congratulating newly sworn Councilmember Sam Dorf and returning Councilmember Lee Turban, and saying staff are returning to regular operations and preparing 2026 priorities. She noted public works and parks staff remain focused on winter maintenance and safety.

Council members used their time for community recognitions and updates. Councilmember Healy Jackson cited a Dayton Daily News report that the city received $14,547.50 for cardboard recycling through December and thanked nearly 400 residents who responded to a parks and recreation survey. Jackson also thanked volunteer groups and Rotarians who supported public safety staff over the holidays.

Councilmember Lee Turban reported that Moody’s upgraded Oakwood Schools’ rating from Aa2 to Aa1, a change he said will help the district secure lower interest rates for an upcoming $40,000,000 phase‑2 bond sale for master facilities work.

Mayor William Duncan recognized Detective Casey Ballinger for a county officer‑of‑the‑year honor and summarized a major criminal investigation that led to an indictment of Matthew Hunt on 82 charges; the mayor said Hunt remains in custody with a $1,000,000 bond and a June 2026 trial date. Duncan also read a visitor’s thank‑you recounting a Nov. 18, 2025 emergency response that the writer said saved their life.

The mayor closed by noting the Dayton Foundation’s growth and congratulating Oakwood High School student Matilda Pritzler for creating artwork used on the foundation’s annual report cover. The meeting adjourned with a reminder that the next council meeting will be Feb. 2, 2026.