City Council looking ahead to 2021

Perry Village Council got a reminder that 2020 is drawing to a close when it recently heard the first readings of resolutions for its 2021 budget and the annual reappointment of non-elected administrators.

That legislative action took place earlier this month. Since council only holds regular meetings once a month, doing a first reading put each resolution on track to have a third and final reading at the regular meeting in December. If that happens, the village would have its 2021 budget approved and be able to continue the employment of its non-elected administrators when the new year begins.

Resolutions which received first readings at the meeting included:

• A proposal to approve permanent-appropriation funds for Perry Village for 2021.

• Separate proposals to approve the continued employment of Joanne Clapp as the village’s chief fiscal officer; Milton Watson as zoning inspector; and Troy Hager for both police chief and road commissioner.

A question about the timing of Hager’s appointment as road commissioner was raised by Councilman Mike Glover. The councilman recalled that former village Solicitor James Loiacono said the appointment of a road commissioner, according to the Ohio Revised Code, must be made in January.

“Are we going to do the first two readings (in October and November), and then put it on the table (in December) for the third reading in January?” Glover asked.

Jim O’Leary, the village’s new solicitor, said he would research the matter to confirm if the Ohio Revised Code requires a road commissioner to be appointed in January.

O’Leary, who began duties as solicitor on Oct. 1, previously was approved by council for a term that encompasses the final three months of 2020 and all of 2021.