Shelby council receives financials, hears utilities report and advances several measures

The Shelby City Council on Monday took several administrative actions: it received and filed the combined financial statement and cash investment reconciliation dated 04/30/2024, reviewed a comprehensive public works report, confirmed a personnel appointment, and advanced routine ordinances and resolutions.

Councilman Martin moved and Mister Roberts seconded the motion to receive and file the financial statements; the motion passed. The finance summary noted month-over-month income tax receipts up 12.2% and year-to-date collections up 11.56%. The council also discussed moving the city's banking relationship from a local US Bank branch to Park National Bank after the branch’s July closure.

Councilman McLaughlin presented the Public Works Committee report, detailing Shelby Public Utilities operations: 35 utility employees and an approximate $17,000,000 annual operating budget; five licensed water treatment operators with treatment capacity around 1,600,000 gallons per day; wastewater treatment of roughly 2,200,000 gallons per day; and roughly 332 miles of combined infrastructure. McLaughlin also described an AMP contracted-resources realignment the city has pursued: Shelby submitted ownership shares in Greenup (366 kW) and Meldahl (559 kW) hydro resources for potential assignment. He said discussions with interested member communities and AMP legal counsel could allow assignment of those resources, reduce outstanding debt by about $4,500,000, and give the city flexibility in power sourcing.

The mayor announced two resignations in the line/electric and telecommunication department (Luke Sherman and Jeff Yates) and the hiring of David Earhart as a wastewater treatment plant operator trainee; council confirmed a personnel appointment by motion and recorded the passage of that confirmation.

On ordinance and resolution business, council considered Ordinance No. 8 (2024) amending vacation accrual language. By unanimous consent members agreed to remove the phrase "minimum of 5" in subsection (g) and replace it with "completed full time" (clarifying qualifying years for new hires); the amendment advanced to second reading. Council also authorized a partnership agreement with Richland County Commissioners and the Ohio Regional Development Corporation for the PY 2024 CHIP (housing preservation) program (covering 2025–26) and amended the resolution language by unanimous consent to designate the mayor as the "mayor, as director of public service" in places where the phrase "proper city official" appeared. Additionally, council approved donating equipment and a police cruiser to the NC State Police Academy (Resolution No. 21/2024).

Why it matters: the financial acceptance keeps the city’s audit and banking transition on track; the utilities and AMP-resource discussion could affect the city’s energy costs and debt levels; personnel and ordinance changes adjust city operations and benefits policies.

Council closed the session with reminders about upcoming community events, including a Memorial Day parade on May 27 and a June 22 car show behind city hall.