Whitehall City Council Committee Meeting Summary – March 24, 2026

The Whitehall City Council held a committee meeting on March 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting covered four pieces of draft legislation under the Administration and Financial Management Committee, a second reading on detention facility special permits, an economic development presentation on standardizing incentive tools, and updates from various committees. No formal votes were taken; items are expected to proceed to the April 7, 2026 regular council meeting for potential adoption.

Discussion Items

Assistant Clerk of Council Position (raised by Councilmember Dixon during the Committee of the Whole)

• Councilmember Dixon proposed developing a job description for an assistant clerk of council, stating it was in early stages and asking for suggestions. He mentioned research needs and that the idea was not yet legislation.
• Several councilmembers (Elmore, Harcar, McCann, and President Potter) opposed the idea, noting that the current clerk, Julie, has not expressed being overworked and that the position was not budgeted for 2026. They questioned the necessity and suggested that if needed, it should come from the clerk or President Potter.
• Dixon reiterated that suggestions could be sent to Julie, and the matter would be further discussed at a future meeting.

Administration and Financial Management Committee (Chairperson Elmore)

• Ordinance No. 024-2026 (1st Reading, to be suspended and adopted 04/07/2026): Authorizes a $24,000 appropriation transfer from Service Admin Asst 1 to Service Admin Asst 2 account to combine two part-time positions into one full-time service administrative assistant. Public Service Director Casey Rowlands confirmed the change does not increase expenses. Councilmember Harcar requested the total salary figure, which was not immediately available. Councilmember Adkins seconded the motion.
• Ordinance No. 025-2026 (1st Reading, to be suspended and adopted 04/07/2026): Authorizes a $260,000 supplemental appropriation from the WMPITIE Fund (279) to the Hamilton-Broad Incentive account to cover ODOT change order overages on the Broad & Hamilton Intersection Improvement Project. Director Rowlands explained the overages include moving a sanitary line and a second anticipated change order; reimbursement from OPWC may occur after project closeout in late 2026. Councilmember Brown seconded.
• Ordinance No. 026-2026 (1st Reading, to be suspended and adopted 04/07/2026): Authorizes a $25,000 supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to the Technology Lifecycle Fund, using a Verizon credit from utility bill. Director Rowlands noted the credit was applied to the utility bill; funds are needed to restore the IT account. Councilmember Brown seconded.
• Resolution No. 011-2026 (1st Reading, to be suspended and adopted 04/07/2026): Approves “then and now” certificates over $3,000 as required by ORC 5705.41(D)(1). Auditor Shaquille Alexander explained these are routine monthly approvals, mostly for utility bills. Councilmember Adkins seconded.

Community and Elder Advocacy Committee (Chairperson Harcar)

• No pending legislation.
• Chairperson Harcar announced she will attend the End Violence Against Women International Conference (April 7) and will be absent from the April 7 council meeting. She also noted she became a certified suicide prevention trainer and plans to offer community training within 30-60 days.
• Councilmember Adkins reminded that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month; pinwheels and blue lights will be displayed starting April 1. She asked if local organizations would be invited; Harcar will share information.

Community Standards and Enforcement Committee (Chairperson McCann)

• Second reading of Ordinance No. 022-2026 (to be adopted 04/21/2026): Amends the Planning and Zoning Code to require special permits for construction or operation of detention facilities. No discussion.

Economic Development Committee (Chairperson Dixon)

• Economic Development Director Jackie Russell presented on standardizing the city’s economic development tools, covering:
  • Income tax (2.5% rate, 86% of general fund revenue) and property tax (59% to schools, 7% to city).
  • Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) – real property tax abatements with benchmarks; the city has 7 active CRA agreements.
  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – redirects incremental property value increases to public improvements; current TIF fund has $9.4 million, primarily from Town & Country area.
  • New Community Authorities (NCAs) – special assessments on property within a district to fund infrastructure; not currently used in Whitehall.
  • Job Creation Tax Credits – cash incentives based on payroll.
  • Development Agreements – formal contracts defining obligations (e.g., building materials, public improvements).
• Russell proposed creating standardized templates, performance benchmarks, and a “menu” of incentives. Next steps: a survey to council on comfort/knowledge levels, followed by educational workshops (limited to 3 members to avoid quorum), and eventual proposals for council approval.
• Councilmembers discussed misconceptions about incentives, the school compensation agreement (35% income tax sharing), and the importance of competitiveness with neighboring communities.
• Councilmember Harcar noted the need for a welcoming community to attract investment, expressing concern about divisive rhetoric.
• Councilmember Dixon emphasized that Whitehall risks being crossed off developers’ lists if it doesn't offer competitive incentives.

Infrastructure, Maintenance and Services Committee (Chairperson Brown)

• No pending legislation.
• Director Rowlands provided updates: water line flushing on Yearling Road is finishing; Breezy construction should complete by July 29; sidewalks and pavement work ongoing.

Public Safety Committee (Chairperson Morrison absent; Elmore filled in)

• No pending legislation.
• Councilmember Elmore commended officers who used a saw to clear a fallen tree branch on Fairway and Greenwood during a windstorm.

Parks and Recreation Committee (Chairperson Adkins)

• No pending legislation.
• Councilmember Adkins acknowledged the “March Towards Reading” event at Discovery.
• Councilmember Harcar proposed exploring senior playgrounds, citing a national trend and an example in Cincinnati; she has contacted the mayor and parks director.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; all legislation is scheduled for first/second reading and will be considered for adoption at the April 7, 2026 regular council meeting (with the exception of the detention facility ordinance, which has a public hearing on April 21, 2026).
• The assistant clerk of council discussion did not produce a decision; it will be revisited at a future meeting.
• Economic Development Director Russell will send a survey to council regarding familiarity with incentive tools and plans workshops for further education.