Recap of final regular Bluffton Council meeting for 2025

By Betsi Werling

Bluffton Council met on Monday, December 22 with Mayor Richard Johnson presiding over the meeting. There were no public comments or committee reports. 

LEGISLATION
Ordinance No. 13-2025 was approved after the third reading. This allows the Village to assign zoning district classifications to certain annexed properties (near SR 103 east of I-75) located in the Village of Bluffton. 

Resolution No. 33-2025 had its first reading. This resolution authorizes Mayor Richard Johnson and Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn to enter into a contract with Rumpke Waste and Recycling services for solid waste and recycling within the Village of Bluffton. 

Jesse Blackburn reported on the Rumpke Waste and Recycling contract. With this contract, the service will stay the same with collection days remaining Monday and Wednesday. There will be a $.22 savings for residents. Contracts from other vendors would have increase the cost considerably.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Jesse Blackburn gave a 2025 zoning permit summary for projects completed in the Village. The total amount of projects was $12,983,013.38, with $6,035,163.39 being residential projects and $6,947,850.00 being commercial projects. Fifteen new residential units were built this year and one was rebuilt after a fire. Blackburn shared that Bluffton is still 246 units away from being considered a city under Ohio guidelines. This will likely take decades to accomplish. 

Blackburn also shared that there have been multiple requests for Canada Geese hunting within Village Limits. Currently, pointing and discharging firearms or other weapons is unlawful. The Village has contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for guidance on this issue. Basically, the question at hand being, is there a safe and supported means to reduce the population of nuisance animals through hunting within the Village limits. Council will await guidance from ODNR. 

Assistant Village Administrator Bryan Lloyd reported that the Village received a $25,000 grant from the Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District to help fund the construction of the shelter house at Legacy Park. To date, Johnny Appleseed has awarded Bluffton $70,000 towards this project.

Blackburn shared a 2025 summary from the Ohio Public Works Commission. State investment was over $1 billion. Bluffton received a 0% interest-free loan from OPWC for replacing a water line under one of the loops of I-75 going towards Grob.

Bryan Lloyd noted that the last leaf pick up has been completed and the the leaf collector has been stored for the rest of the winter.  Residents should now bag and dispose of any remaining leaves.

MAYOR REPORT
Richard Johnson shared that he had a letter of resignation for Thomas Downing from the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals Committee because he will be a Council member beginning in January. The Mayor recommended Dave Bracy replace Thomas on this committee. Council accepted the resignation and recommendation from Mayor Johnson. 

SAFETY SERVICE REPORTS
Fire Chief Jon Kinn requested that 15 sets of outdated firefighter gear be donated, which council approved. This equipment is over 30 years old. 

EMS Chief Noah Babcock shared response rates for the month. Currently, EMS crews have been responding to calls in town within 3 minutes and 32 seconds and calls in the country are being responded to within 7 minutes and 49 seconds.

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder reported that the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement with Allen County was updated. This allows the department to seek additional law enforcement when needed. Mayor Johnson and Kevin Nickel signed the new agreement. Burholder asked for an Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue. 

The public portion of the meeting ended at this point.

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