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Council backs Macedonia service center project, adopts 2026 budget and launches debate over how many pets residents can keep.
MACEDONIA, Ohio – Macedonia City Council on Dec. 11 approved funding for a new Macedonia service center, passed the city’s 2026 budget, adjusted this year’s appropriations and opened a debate over how many cats and dogs residents should be allowed to keep in their homes.
Macedonia Service Center Project Moves Forward Without New Taxes
Council unanimously approved Ordinance 81-2025, authorizing up to $13.4 million in bond anticipation notes to pay for the new Macedonia service center complex. Finance Director John Veres told council the total project is estimated at about $17 million, with roughly 20–25% to be paid in cash over the life of the project and the rest financed through notes and, eventually, long-term bonds.
The mayor and finance department emphasized that the Macedonia service center project will be funded within existing revenues and will not require a new voter-approved tax. The notes will be combined with the $2.6 million note issue under Ordinance 73-2025 and taken to market in January.
Mayor Nicholas Molnar Mayor’s Office called the building a long‑overdue need rather than a want. He referenced a video shown at the meeting documenting deteriorated conditions at the current service facilities, including rusted structural supports, leaking roofs, rotted doors, cramped break areas and equipment stored outdoors or on dirt floors.
The new centralized service center will bring operations under one roof and include a roughly 100-seat training room that can be used by police, fire and service personnel. Hosting training on site is expected to save money by reducing travel costs and allowing the city to take advantage of free or reduced-cost programs when it serves as the host site.
Responding to resident questions heard during the recent election, council members and the mayor stressed that the road paving program is funded from a dedicated road levy and related sources, and that those restricted road funds cannot legally be shifted to pay for the service center. Likewise, the safety/service funds being tapped for the service center cannot be redirected to resurface neighborhood streets.
To mark the project, State Rep. Steve Demetriou (R‑Bainbridge Township), who represents Ohio House District 35 and serves as majority whip, sent a congratulatory proclamation recognizing the groundbreaking for the new service center and its anticipated long-term impact on city services Ohio House biography.
Council Adopts 2026 Budget and Year-End Adjustments
Council adopted Ordinance 76-2025, the city’s 2026 annual appropriations, after several months of finance committee meetings and department-level work. The all-funds budget totals about $67.4 million, including the general fund, special revenue funds, debt service and capital projects.
Mayor Molnar and Director Veres noted that having a full-year budget in place before January 1 is a point of pride and allows the administration to plan projects and staffing without delay.
Council also passed Ordinance 82-2025, the third amendment to the 2025 appropriations. The adjustment shifts money to cover higher-than-expected operating costs in several areas:
- Additional fuel funding in the general fund, reflecting volatile prices.
- An extra $25,000 in RITA fees, which Veres called good news because the fees rise as income tax collections increase. He reported income tax revenue is up about 7.4% over last year.
- $35,000 more for state court fees, a pass-through driven by higher court activity.
- Increased funding for senior programs, reflecting continued growth in participation.
- Higher appropriations for the resident refund program, which has seen more usage, in part due to regular public reporting by the administration and fire department.
Debt Rollover for Road and Intersection Work
Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 73-2025, a one-year rollover of bond anticipation notes, now capped at $2.6 million. The notes were originally issued to finance:
- Improvements at the Highland Road/Valley View Road intersection
- Design work at Highland Road/State Route 8 and Highland Road/South Bedford Road
- Resurfacing of Ledge Road between North Bedford and Shepard
Director Veres said the city plans to pay down $120,000 in principal on the notes this cycle. The new issue will go to market in early January alongside the Macedonia service center notes.
Planning Commission Seat Filled; Senior Services Move to Parks and Recreation
Council approved Resolution 83-2025, appointing Michael Varhola to the Macedonia Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Tony Cox, which runs through 2027. Mayor Molnar said Varhola may be new to planning but impressed him in interviews as intelligent, well spoken and quick to learn.
Through Ordinance 84-2025, council also updated the non‑union compensation schedule to formally move senior services under the Parks & Recreation Department.
- Leah Griffith, the city’s senior coordinator, will transfer from the Fire Department to Parks & Recreation effective Jan. 2, 2026.
- The mayor said the change reflects how the work is actually being done and will give Griffith a larger team and more appropriate facilities for senior fitness and activity programs.
- Sherry, who has long supported senior programming from the fire side, will focus more squarely on fire department administrative duties while still supporting efforts there.
A separate ordinance to move a part‑time senior support position (about eight hours per week) into the Parks & Recreation structure is expected early in the new year.
How Many Cats Are Too Many? Council Wants Resident Input
Ordinance 85-2025 received its first reading and no vote. The measure would amend Section 505.16 of the city code to limit the number of cats in a residence, mirroring existing limits on dogs.
Currently, city law caps households at three dogs, but there is no limit on cats. As drafted, Ordinance 85-2025 would:
- Extend the three-animal limit to cats, effectively allowing three dogs and three cats under current wording (since the sections are written separately).
- Apply immediately upon the ordinance taking effect; there is no “grandfathering” of larger numbers of pets under standard police regulations.
Councilor Jessica Brandt said she supports establishing a limit to address nuisance and hoarding cases but argued three cats is too low, noting many responsible owners care for four to six cats without issues. She floated alternatives, including:
- Allowing up to six cats, or
- Setting a combined limit of six animals (dogs and cats together), so households could have, for example, two dogs and four cats.
Law Director Mark Guidetti confirmed that any combined cap would have to be clearly written to prevent unintended totals such as nine animals (three dogs and six cats).
The mayor and council agreed to keep the ordinance at first reading and invited resident feedback before making changes. Residents can email comments to Clerk of Council Jon Hoover (jhoover@macedonia.oh.us) or contact council members directly via their city email addresses.
Short-Term Rentals, Donations and Farewell to Councilor Vini J. Ventura
Council also introduced Ordinance 86-2025, creating a new chapter of the city code to regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb-style properties. Sponsored by Councilor Vini J. Ventura with input from Police Chief Vince Yakopovich, the proposal is intended as a proactive measure to address nuisance rentals and reduce the risk of property damage, injuries and potential liability for the city.
The ordinance was given first reading only and is expected to be refined by the new council in 2026.
Other actions included:
- Accepting a $25 Subway gift card donation to the Macedonia Police Department.
- Passing Resolution 87-2025, a formal resolution of appreciation for Councilor Vini J. Ventura, recognizing his decades of public service, including:
- Military service in the U.S. armed forces
- A long law-enforcement career
- Service on the Macedonia Civil Service Commission starting in 2016
- Election to council in 2017 and reelection in 2021
- Leadership roles as vice president of council, chair of the finance and safety committees, and membership on the Streets & Highways Committee and the Northfield Center Township–City of Macedonia JEDD board
Colleagues and department heads praised Ventura’s candor, accessibility and public-safety perspective. Ventura thanked residents, staff and fellow council members, noting he plans to stay involved in city events but will finally have no excuse to miss his grandson’s Tuesday and Thursday basketball games.
Holiday Programs, WinterFest and Department Updates
The meeting had a strong holiday flavor:
- Chaplain O’Brien offered an invocation focused on the season’s themes of generosity, unity and shared values.
- Mayor Molnar publicly recognized Chaplain O’Brien as his “shining star” honoree for the year in a segment recently recorded with Community Focus.
- Fire Chief Brian Ripley reported on the Santa delivery program, which the department believes is now in its 36th year. The tradition has grown to multigenerational visits and has even included delivering engagement rings and reuniting soldiers with their families. He urged residents to be cautious with space heaters and fireplaces over the winter.
- Police Chief Yakopovich said community donations again made Shop with a Cop possible for 15 children this year and allowed the department to increase the spending per child.
Other department notes:
- Service Director Daniel Wilson said crews have collected more than 3,000 cubic yards of leaves and have now moved into winter shift coverage, with 24‑hour coverage during storms.
- City Engineer Joe Gigliotti reported the storm sewer replacement in front of Aldi is complete, with lawn restoration to follow in spring, and the new trail at Longwood Park is done, with grass seeding also scheduled for spring.
- Parks & Recreation Director Peter Eckendorf thanked staff and volunteers for a successful WinterFest at Longwood Park and praised the service department’s holiday lights display.
- Assistant Building Commissioner Todd Allen announced the opening of Hand & Stone at 500 E. Aurora Road and confirmed the city‑wide sidewalk program is now complete.
As the meeting wrapped up, council and the administration exchanged holiday well‑wishes and birthday greetings for Council President Jeff Garvas and several department heads who share mid‑December birthdays.
