Written by Signs of improvement continue to slowly make their way into the dark cracks of the city’s past. In a pair of mid-September meetings, the Galion City Council and its committees highlighted genuine civic progress. A newly stabilized general fund is finally allowing the administration to keep utility revenues where they belong—funding physical repairs. Meanwhile, grassroots volunteerism is highly active, extensive park renovations are underway, the YMCA has opened a brand-new teen facility, and the multimillion-dollar Depot is preparing to welcome its first major tenant.
But beneath these bright spots, the financial realities of running a city plagued by legacy infrastructure and stalled economic development remain stark. Behind the routine legislative votes is a municipality still scrambling to patch failing utility grids, replace obsolete emergency equipment, secure long-term management for its civic investments, and navigate the watchful eye of state auditors.
The Utility Pivot: Stopping the Administrative Drain
For years—dating back to a formula created during the city’s fiscal emergency around 2006—Galion used a “cost of services” accounting mechanism to drain tens of thousands of dollars annually from its water, wastewater, storm water, and electric utility funds to subsidize general fund administrative personnel. After advancing out of the Finance Committee on September 16 (moved by Councilman Mike Richard, seconded by Councilman Todd Brown), the City Council officially redirected those budgeted funds on September 22 by voting 6–0 to suspend the three-reading rule (moved by Richard, seconded by Councilman Woodmancy) and voting 6–0 on final reading to pass Ordinance 2026-68 as an emergency measure (moved by Councilman Heath Watkins, seconded by Councilman Matt Strickler, with Councilman Eric Weber excused).
• Eliminating the Transfer: With the general fund now stable and the utilities more volatile on a cash basis, Mayor Brian Saterfield and the administration determined earlier this year to eliminate the cost-of-services transfers. Mayor Saterfield noted it made no sense to pull $90,000 to $112,000 out of the water fund to reimburse the general fund for salaries in the Mayor’s, Auditor’s, Law Director’s, and City Council’s offices, only to turn around and transfer $2 million to $2.5 million from the general fund back into the water fund.
• Funding Physical Repairs: Sections 3 and 4 of Ordinance 2026-68 reallocate the money originally earmarked for cost of services directly into the wastewater and water departments’ maintenance and repair budgets.
• Targeted Utility Projects: Specific projects funded by this reallocation include purchasing new pumps for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (overseen by Superintendent Renee Bodkins), as well as looking at a motor, installing a new roof on the Powers Reservoir pump house, and conducting maintenance at the Dawson Street water tower for the Water Treatment Plant (overseen by Superintendent Jim Warner).
The $2 Million Sewer Gamble & Economic Frustrations
While the city patches its existing pipes, it faces a massive hurdle in laying new ones for industrial growth. During the September 16 Economic Development and Airport Committee meeting, officials revealed that a prime 40-to-50-acre green space near State Route 61 and U.S. 30 was disqualified from a recent JobsOhio industrial prospect because, while the site has water, it lacks sewer access.
• The $2 Million Price Tag: Mayor Saterfield reported that running sewer lines to the State Route 61 and U.S. 30 site is estimated to cost $2 million—money the city’s treatment fund does not have.
• Speculative Borrowing vs. Guaranteed Tenants: Committee Chair Todd Brown and Councilmembers Eric Weber and Heath Watkins debated whether the city should speculatively borrow or bond the money under a “build it and they will come” strategy, or wait for a committed commercial prospect where projected tax revenues, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA), or grants would guarantee a two-to-five-year payback period. Officials also brainstormed selling Port Authority land along State Route 598 at a discount so a developer could put the savings toward infrastructure.
• Questioning the Crawford Partnership ROI: The high cost of development sparked open frustration over Galion’s $45,000 annual contribution to the Crawford Partnership. Committee members questioned the return on investment, noting that Galion pays nearly the same amount as Bucyrus without seeing comparable economic wins. Mayor Saterfield noted that between the Partnership ($45,000) and past contributions to the Port Authority ($75,000 to $150,000), the city spends roughly $200,000—or about 1.2% of the general fund—on economic development. He added that the Partnership’s representative, McKenna (following predecessors David Zak and Gary Frankhouse), meets with him and Safety Service Director Nikki Ward twice a month, is well aware Galion needs a win, and is working to secure a confidential site visit (“code name Zeus”) by the end of the month.
• Small Nation Consultation: To explore Uptown revitalization and property management strategies, Councilman Brown announced that he, Mayor Saterfield, and McKenna have booked a November 4 visit to Bellefontaine to tour properties and consult with Small Nation, a successful property development firm. Law Director Bear advised that no additional committee members could attend the trip together under open meetings rules.
• Port Authority Ordinance Held & Church Property Listed: A separate ordinance concerning the Port Authority was held in the Finance Committee without discussion or a vote to remain on October’s agenda. Officials noted the Port Authority is currently down three board members and lacks an executive director to pursue grants. Additionally, on September 22, in response to an inquiry from Councilman Woodmancy regarding activity at the Port Authority’s church property, officials confirmed that after a previous prospective buyer found another location, the Port Authority entered into a contract with a realtor to list and sell the property.
The Depot Dilemma: A Crown Jewel Without a Manager
The newly renovated train depot is at 95% to 96% completion and nearing temporary full occupancy, with North Central Area Transit (NCAT, formerly SCAT) holding temporary occupancy on the north side of the building and waiting to move in as soon as crews finish the lobby and stairwell.
• Operating Funds & Grant Accounting (Passed in Ord. 2026-68): Through the passage of Section 2 of Ordinance 2026-68, council transferred $50,000 in unused Clay Street project funds—freed up after Building Official Baldinger helped secure a grant covering most of the Clay Street work, as praised by Law Director Bear—into the Depot’s budget to cover impending Spectrum internet, Rumpke trash, electric, gas, IT, insurance, and maintenance bills. Section 5 of the ordinance also finalized the budget accounting for an $800,000 state leisure grant used for the Depot’s second floor; having advanced $700,000 and previously budgeted $400,000 to return, the city appropriated the remaining $300,000 to advance back to the general fund once the state reimbursement arrives.
• No Landlord on Staff: Despite the building being nearly ready, the city has no one to manage or lease the Depot’s ten upstairs office spaces. Mayor Saterfield emphasized that the city has not bought a single chair, table, or roll of toilet paper for the offices, hasn’t set rental rates to account for the centralized utility meter and fiber internet, and lacks the internal administrative staff to act as a commercial landlord for the Depot or the hotel.
• Courting Outside Management: The local Chamber of Commerce board declined to manage the Depot, offering only a $4,800-per-year advertising contract that Mayor Saterfield immediately rejected. While Councilman Eric Weber suggested an operating agreement allowing the Port Authority to manage the Depot and keep the profits to fund a full-time director, the administration is currently arranging a walk-through next week with a Cleveland-area property management company to develop a formal business plan for the facility.
• Parking & Bed Tax Signage: Officials plan to paint parking lines underneath the Washington Street overpass, reserve spaces between the Depot and a neighboring hair salon for the salon’s older clientele, and potentially ask to use an adjacent former grocery store lot near the Church Street overpass for weekend overflow. The Finance Committee also discussed Depot signage, with the Mayor noting that while $138,000 sits in a dedicated Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) “bed tax” fund (from which he plans to budget $25,000 next year to discuss tourism promotion) and another $138,000 in bed tax revenue sits in the general fund, a Depot sign will likely be purchased directly out of the Mayor’s budget.
Public Safety: Running on Borrowed Time
While the council debated economic development, the city’s emergency services reported severe capital shortfalls regarding essential equipment during the September 16 Police, Fire, and Health Committee meeting (chaired by Councilman Terry Gribble alongside Councilmen Todd Brown and Eric Weber).
• Obsolete Fire Air Compressor: Fire Chief Jeff Pennington reported that the department’s breathing air compressor—purchased in 2008 to fill firefighter air bottles—is obsolete and “living on borrowed time.” When the manufacturer stopped producing the unit, it ceased stockpiling replacement parts, and a technician confirmed the suppliers for the internal components are out of business. While a complete replacement package including a heavy-duty metal containment filling station costs roughly $65,000, Chief Pennington noted the department can get by with its current fill stations and is prioritizing grant applications for the $33,000 compressor unit. Without a working compressor during a major fire, the department would be forced into a precarious rotation of transporting empty air bottles to a neighboring fire department to be refilled.
• Aging Fire Tanker: The Fire Department is also optimistically waiting on FEMA to announce grant awards to replace a fire tanker apparatus that has been in service for 24 years and is showing its age.
• Outdated Police Tasers: Simultaneously, Police Chief Ryan Strange reported that the Police Department is relying on X26P Tasers dating back to roughly 2013. The units are six models behind, are no longer serviced by the manufacturer, and require the department to buy replacement cartridges through a generic vendor. With law enforcement equipment grants spaced far apart, Chief Strange plans to seek funding options during upcoming budget talks.
• Station Mold, Roof Repairs, and Staffing: On a positive note, long-overdue roof repairs at the fire station were half-completed without any unexpected structural surprises. Chief Pennington thanked the council for moving budget funds to fix the roof, noting that leaks had caused mold to start developing where firefighters sleep. Following Chief Phil Jackson’s retirement, the department remains down one staff member; applications opened September 16 for an October new-hire exam, and six eligible firefighters are preparing for a December Lieutenant promotional exam as the department braces for consistent retirements over the next five years.
• End-of-Year Reports: Chief Pennington also asked the committee what information they would like included in upcoming end-of-year reports beyond standard statistical totals. Because most council members are new, both chiefs will provide copies of previous reports to Council Clerk Julie to distribute for council feedback.
E-Bikes, Nuisances, and Public Right-of-Ways
During the Police, Fire, and Health Committee meeting, Chief Strange provided an update on the city’s educational push regarding e-bikes and motorized devices:
• Education & Enforcement: Police have prepared educational flyers outlining legal requirements for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes to distribute to local school buildings, the YMCA, the library, and social media. Chief Strange is also contacting School Superintendent Dr. Hartman to explore hosting a four-hour online and practical e-bike safety certification course for students, potentially taught by a school resource officer. While legal e-bikes and low-speed scooters (regulated under Ohio Revised Code 4511.514) must obey traffic laws and stop signs (city skateboard ordinances 377.02 and 377.03 date back to the mid-1990s), electric off-road dirt bikes are strictly illegal on streets and sidewalks. Police have primarily issued warnings to juveniles after consulting with the juvenile court, though an adult was recently cited for riding an off-road dirt bike on the street. Councilman Brown noted that school bus drivers are thrilled that electronic devices are no longer cutting off buses in the school parking lot.
During the September 22 regular council meeting, citizens and council members raised several localized street and nuisance issues:
• East Walnut Alley Right-of-Way: Resident Bill Mton of 875 East Walnut Street addressed the council following discussions with Councilman Matt Strickler, thanking the council for its attention over the past two weeks and for moving forward to restore the public right-of-way in the alley.
• Mansfield Street Hazard: Resident Barb Walters warned the council of a 9-inch-deep water-filled hole between the sidewalk and pavement at the Mansfield Street and Harding Way stop sign where drivers are driving off the roadway, as well as a 25-foot stretch of missing or overgrown sidewalk just past the intersection.
• Abandoned Mattresses: Council discussed mattresses left laying on Washington Street for two weeks near a burned-down house, along with a similar incident on Harding Way near Orange Street. Officials emphasized that the city is not a trash service and residents should pay Rumpke $30 for bulk pickup, though the administration agreed to look into the eyesore.
Appeasing the State Auditor & 2027 Budget Prep
Looming over the city’s financial housekeeping is the Ohio Auditor of State. Following a Finance Committee recommendation on September 16 (moved by Councilman Mike Richard, seconded by Councilman Todd Brown), the council voted 6–0 on September 22 to suspend the rules (moved by Councilman Woodmancy, seconded by Councilman Matt Strickler) and voted 6–0 on final reading to pass Resolution 2026-15 as an emergency measure (moved by Councilman Terry Gribble, seconded by Councilman Brown). The resolution approves a “then and now” certificate to pay a budgeted state auditing bill from the 2024 audit that lacked a prior purchase order. Auditor Wade stressed the necessity of paying the state auditor timely to avoid upsetting them, noted she will return to council regarding 2025 audit funds, and shared that the upcoming 2026 audit will cost $51,000, which she is setting up on a separate purchase order.
Looking ahead, Mayor Saterfield warned the council to prepare for lengthy meetings in October. The administration held its initial union contract negotiation talks on September 22 with Clemens, Nelson & Associates and aims to present the 2027 city budget to the Finance Committee in October for two to three readings before the full council.
Parks, Paving, and Civic Upgrades
Despite capital strains, localized civic improvements and community initiatives are moving forward across Galion:
• Paving: Fall street paving is scheduled to begin next week, including Harding Way East and the City Hall parking lot near the gates.
• East Park & Freese Projects: At East Park, the former skateboard area has been sealed, the tennis courts are prepped with basketball hoops on order to create two basketball courts, and the deteriorating ballfield concession stand was demolished as part of a Freese Foundation project. Crews are rebuilding the baseball dugouts and roofs with concrete pads and 5-foot storage compartments, preparing to install 50-foot poles for field netting from a 2022 Freese project, and installing drainage tile around the older playground before laying final playground mulch. Mayor Saterfield also plans to propose redoing the East Park ballfield infield (with help from Ben White) and improving South Park fields for next year’s Freese projects.
• Amann Reservoir & Uptown Upgrades: Treasurer Pitman shared resident praise for mowing and weed cleanup at Amann Reservoir, where six picnic tables are secured at the new shelter, landscaping is complete behind the pickleball courts with six Freese-funded benches arriving shortly, brush and drainage near the band shelter are being cleared, and the Mayor pitched a future Freese-funded walking bridge on the low-lying west side near the cattails (which would require council approval). Elsewhere, playground mulch was laid at Heise and South Parks, street crews uncovered a long-buried sidewalk in front of the historic cabin during a busy Heise Park Kids Fair and Open Doors weekend (after Galion Main Street’s Nolan Park Artisan Fair was rained out), the wall at the old Spectre building will be bid out, the gazebo roof is being repaired, and new benches and play tables are coming to the Uptown Square.
• High School Partnerships: With Superintendent Dr. Hartman’s support, Mayor Saterfield is meeting Monday with high school graphic design students to launch positive social media campaigns such as a “Park of the Week.” Next Thursday, the Mayor will take Water Superintendent Jim Warner and Wastewater Superintendent Renee Bodkins—along with Jerry from the line department and the school shop teacher—to speak with students about water and wastewater operator licensing, municipal trades, and city government.
• YMCA Teen Center: Councilmen Heath Watkins and Terry Gribble highlighted the September 23 ribbon-cutting for the Galion Community Center YMCA’s new teen center, converted from the small gym to feature an air-conditioned golf simulator room, a baseball and softball batting cage, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, and lounge chairs.
• Compost Facility & Volunteerism: Councilman Brown and Mayor Saterfield praised street department workers Ben and Dustin for helping older residents unload vehicles at the Taylor Road composting facility, which drew 160 visitors on Friday and nearly 50 in the rain by 10 a.m. Saturday, and will remain open through November. Council also commended former councilman Randy Monk for volunteering extensive hours picking up trash and weeds around the YMCA and band shelter, while Council President Dr. Thomas Fellner highlighted local non-governmental aid, such as a church offering free oil changes for single parents.
• Columbia Gas Rate Hikes (Communication Only): Finally, Council President Fellner reported a formal letter from Columbia Gas announcing its intent to seek rate increases from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) taking effect in late 2027, with rate projections spanning calendar years 2028 through 2030.
Balancing the Past and the Future
As Galion prepares to dive into the 2027 budget season and complex union negotiations this October, the city remains locked in a delicate balancing act. The ongoing park improvements, grassroots volunteerism, school partnerships, and structural accounting corrections show a community actively working to heal its civic foundation. Yet, with millions needed for industrial sewer expansions and emergency services running on borrowed time, local officials face an uphill battle. The administration’s ultimate test will be whether these slow, hard-fought improvements can outpace the heavy financial anchor of the city’s past.