Aurora City Council Roundup: School Funds, FEMA Buyouts, Road Levy and More

Destination Imagination Team Earns City Recognition

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin opened the April 27 meeting with a proclamation honoring Destination Imagination Team YAAASSS!!! from Layton Elementary School. The team competed in the improvisational category, Casting Shadows, and earned first place at the Northeast Ohio Regional Competition before finishing second out of 14 teams at the state tournament, qualifying for the 2026 Global Finals. The team’s record also includes first place at the 2025 Ohio State Tournament and a 16th-place finish at the 2025 Global Finals.

Team members Isha Gupta, Pranav Rachakonda, Mila Silvers, Levi Yates, Hazel Zangaro and Desiree Dara, under the leadership of team manager Vikas Gupta, will represent Aurora and the State of Ohio at the 2026 Global Finals, scheduled for May 21 through 24.

School Resource Officer Funding Approved

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-064, authorizing payment of $297,334 to the Aurora Board of Education for its share of income tax collected from property tax abatements on commercial and industrial properties in 2025. The city offset $60,704 for the cost of providing School Resource Officers to the school district, resulting in a net payment of $236,630 drawn from the Capital Improvement Fund.

The ordinance passed 7-0-1, with Councilman John Kudley abstaining. Kudley noted he is part-time employed by Aurora City Schools’ athletic department and that his daughter serves on the school board.

Development and Road Legislation Approved

Council approved two ordinances from the Planning Commission on third reading. Ordinance 2026-066 approved a revised development plan for Aurora Development RS, LLC, located on the northeast corner of State Route 43 and Treat Road in an M-1 Mixed-Use District. Ordinance 2026-067 amended Aurora’s codified ordinances to prohibit the use of concrete for new residential streets.

Council also approved Ordinance 2026-078, renewing a farmland agricultural district application filed by Brian and Michelle Doskocil for property at 925 Centerville Trail.

Audit Fees Authorized

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-080, authorizing payment of up to $40,000 to the Ohio Auditor of State for fees associated with the city’s 2025 financial audit. The measure was declared an emergency to allow the audit to be completed in a timely manner.

Wastewater Plant Equipment Purchase Approved

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-081, authorizing a contract with Bearing Distributors, Inc. in the amount of $33,737.28, plus shipping costs not to exceed $1,000, for bearings and couplers needed for a recently purchased ditch drive at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The purchase was declared an emergency because the quote was set to expire April 30. Funding comes from the Sewer Capital Fund.

Road and Bridge Levy Renewal Moves Forward

Council began the legislative process for Resolution 2026-082, which declares the need to renew an existing 0.9-mill tax levy for construction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges. Finance Director Tim Clymer told council the levy, which generates just over $600,000 annually, is part of a road and bridge budget that exceeds $2.5 million per year.

The resolution advanced to a second reading at the April 27 meeting and was adopted at the May 11 meeting. Clymer explained that approval of the resolution authorizes the county auditor to certify current tax valuation figures, which will then be used in a subsequent measure to place the levy renewal on the November 2026 ballot.

Meijer Water Easement Approved

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-083, accepting an easement from Meijer Stores Limited Partnership to allow city access to water vaults and meters on the Meijer property in Bainbridge. Mayor Womer Benjamin clarified for those in attendance that while the Meijer store is located in Bainbridge rather than Aurora, the city provides water and sewer service to the property and collects income taxes from it through the city’s Joint Economic Development District agreement.

2027 Tax Budget Adopted

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-084, approving the city’s tax budget for calendar year 2027 and authorizing its submission to the Portage County Auditor. Clymer emphasized the document is a routine submission to the County Budget Commission and does not reflect the city’s actual operating budget for next year.

He highlighted one notable item: the final year of bond payments on debt issued in 2002 for a property acquisition. Due to refinancings and modest over-collections by the county, the city has accumulated enough in its bond repayment fund to cover the final payment of approximately $390,000 without levying additional property taxes on residents next year. A public hearing on the tax budget was held at the May 11 meeting, with no public comment received.

PARTA Board Appointment Confirmed

Council confirmed the reappointment of Victor Baerman to the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority board of trustees for a term ending June 30, 2029, via Resolution 2026-085. Baerman was first appointed in January 2024 to fill a vacant seat.

Employee Benefits Updated

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-086, amending the city’s compensation schedule to reflect changes for listed non-union employees, including a part-time fire position and seasonal parks staff. Council also adopted Ordinance 2026-087, which updates Chapter 161 of the city’s codified ordinances governing non-union employee benefits. The changes mirror terms in the city’s Teamsters service contract, increasing the comp time bank from 40 to 60 hours and adding double-time pay for employees working on observed holidays.

Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan Adopted

Council adopted Resolution 2026-088, authorizing Aurora’s adoption of the updated 2026 Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Director of Public Services Harry Stark said the update was driven in part by federal requirements tied to FEMA grant eligibility. Adopting the plan is required for the city to maintain access to mitigation grant funds.

City Locks In Three-Year Electricity Rate

Council adopted Ordinance 2026-089, ratifying a three-year electricity supply agreement with IGS Energy at a rate of 8.61 cents per kilowatt hour, effective June 2026 through May 2029. Clymer said the rate is higher than what the city currently pays but well below where the general market is expected to move in coming months. He said the locked-in rate is expected to save the city approximately $52,000 per year compared to projected market rates, though it will cost roughly $44,000 more annually than the expiring contract.

FEMA Grant Funds Four Flood-Zone Property Purchases

Council adopted four ordinances authorizing the purchase of flood-prone properties in the Geauga Lake neighborhood using funds from a FEMA Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant.

Stark explained the city originally planned to purchase 11 properties under an earlier FEMA grant, but rising property values during the lengthy grant approval process reduced purchasing power to seven homes. After persistent outreach to state and federal contacts, the city secured nearly $6 million in additional funding from leftover grant dollars. The four new purchases complete the original plan.

The approved purchases are:

Ordinance 2026-090 authorizes the purchase of 1061 Moneta Avenue from Donald and Judith Lucas for $245,000, plus closing costs not to exceed $7,000.

Ordinance 2026-091 authorizes the purchase of a vacant lot on Moneta Avenue, parcel number 03-001-21-00-037-000, from Anastasia Narinsky for $22,000, plus closing costs not to exceed $3,000.

Ordinance 2026-092 authorizes the purchase of 1074 Moneta Avenue from Katy House, LLC for $235,000, plus closing costs not to exceed $7,000.

Ordinance 2026-093 authorizes the purchase of 1224 Moneta Avenue from Gordon and Michele Mayner for $275,000, plus closing costs not to exceed $7,000.

All properties will undergo asbestos assessment and abatement before demolition. Stark said a fourth home is still under negotiation and was not part of the current legislation. The grant ends in early 2027, creating urgency to complete the purchasing, abatement and demolition process.

Law Director Dean DePiero noted the city has worked with property owners through a FEMA-specific appraisal process and that no homeowners have disputed their appraised values.

Mayor’s Report Highlights Spring Events and City Projects

At the April 27 meeting, Mayor Womer Benjamin reported that the SR 82 and SR 43 waterline project was completed and that paving of SR 82 was expected to begin soon. The 2026 paving program is underway, with Deepwoods Drive finished and Old Mill Road expected to be completed by the end of April. She also noted that residents who qualify for the city’s assistance programs, including utility accommodations, had until May 15 to submit applications.

At the May 11 meeting, the mayor reported several upcoming community events. The Splash Pad and Sunny Lake Park Boathouse are set to reopen May 23, weather permitting. Food Truck Wednesdays begin June 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kiwanis Moore Park, held on the second and fourth Wednesdays. The Summer Concert Series begins June 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, on the second and fourth Thursdays, with Nick Costa and Company performing vintage Vegas hits.

The mayor also announced that the city’s first email newsletter, launched May 1, reached 1,002 subscribers with a 62 percent open rate. Residents can subscribe through the city’s website at www.auroraoh.com.

An additional summer event, Ohio Goes to the Movies, is scheduled for June 6 at Veterans Memorial Park, with a pre-movie party at 1:30 p.m. followed by a free showing of Superman at Atlas Cinemas at 3 p.m.

Nominations for Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July Parade are due by May 31. Applications are available online or through the Parks and Recreation Department.

Community Remarks

At the April 27 meeting, a resident announced that the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County, along with the Kent and Geauga leagues, would present a free public screening of the Broadway musical Suffs at the Hayden Auditorium at Hiram College on May 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets were required and available at lwvnpc.org.

Councilman Kudley announced that the Aurora Historical Society would host a public program on May 21 titled Aurora and America 250, highlighting major events in Aurora’s history tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

At the May 11 meeting, Councilman Ralph Ware noted that American Legion Post 803 would host its first annual Ruckin Remembrance on the Saturday before Memorial Day, open to anyone wishing to honor those who have served.

Councilman Brad Duguay asked fellow council members for their input on a proposed update to the Architectural Board of Review Residential Guidelines relating to metal roofs, ahead of the next Planning Commission meeting.