Carrollton council authorizes purchase agreement for school bus garage

Carrollton Village Council authorized preparation of a purchase agreement for the former Carrollton Exempted Village School bus garage property during its June 8 meeting.

Following an executive session to discuss the potential acquisition, council voted to direct Village Solicitor Clark Battista to draft a purchase agreement for the property at a cost of $300,000. No action was taken during the executive session itself. The former bus garage is located at 297 Fourth St. NE, Carrollton.

Council also approved a resolution to proceed with placing a proposed fire levy before voters. Battista said the measure represented the second step in the process required to place the issue before voters.

Village Administrator Chris Kiehl reported the village received four bids for its 2026 paving program and awarded the project to low bidder Northstar Paving.

Kiehl also reported he and Mayor Bill Stoneman attended a Carroll County Community Improvement Corporation meeting to discuss a potential land purchase and later attended the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Golden Shovel Banquet, where the village received a Golden Shovel Award for its contributions to the community.

Street Department Superintendent Ben Palmer reported crews installed 530 feet of new 12-inch storm pipe and three catch basins on Park Avenue, repaired a yard affected by a previous storm sewer project, completed weed control and tick spraying in village parks, patched potholes and continued mowing operations due to frequent rainfall. Palmer also reported crews assisted Carrollton Exempted Village Schools with removal of senior banners and swept the parade route ahead of Memorial Day activities.

Water Superintendent Derik Kaltenbaugh reported employees replaced a water service line beneath Fifth Street NW, repaired the splash pad, replaced a hydrant on Second Street NW, conducted meter readings, completed right-of-way mowing, performed shutoffs for nonpayment and worked on backflow surveys. Kaltenbaugh also reported employees removed a tree that fell onto power lines at the village wells before electrical repairs were completed.

In other business, council:

—HEARD Kiehl report the village's annual insurance renewal increased from approximately $103,000 to $115,000. Kiehl said about $5,000 of the increase stemmed from flood insurance required for street department buildings and equipment after updated federal flood maps placed the property in a flood zone. He said the added cost is expected to be temporary.

—DISCUSSED establishing a reimbursement policy for employees who choose alternative health coverage, such as Medicare, rather than participating in the village health insurance plan. No action was taken, and officials said they would seek information from comparable communities before considering a policy.

—HEARD Kiehl report a third roofing contractor evaluated storm damage to the village safety building and an estimate is forthcoming.

—REQUESTED that village administration provide council members with updates on events and activities approved for Public Square.

—PAID bills totaling $60,074.39 in vendor expenses and $60,791.95 in payroll. Council also approved $2,173.36 in payments without prior certification.