Dover council approves firefighter contract, TIF changes

Dover City Council suspended the rules to approve Emergency Ordinance 18-26 at its May 4 meeting, finalizing a contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 324, AFL-CIO, which represents Dover Fire Department personnel.

The contract covers Feb. 16, 2026, through Feb. 16, 2029. Firefighters will receive a $2 raise in the first year, a 3% increase in the second year and a $1.10 raise in the third year.

Council members expressed satisfaction with reaching an agreement after the previous contract had been extended due to uncertain negotiations.

“We retained outside counsel. They were taking it to outside counsel. And before we sat down to start that process, we were able to work it out ourselves,” Law Director Gina Space said.

The contract also includes a new maternity and paternity policy.

“The contract numbers mirror very closely to what we gave police two years ago; it also mirrors or keeps us on par with what similar jurisdictions are paying,” Mayor Shane Gunnoe said.

Council also amended Emergency Ordinance 11-26 before passing it on third reading. The ordinance creates four Ludy Estate Tax Increment Financing incentive districts for the proposed Lawver Homes Inc. development on St. Peters Church Road.

“We were taking out any items that were never really designed to be funded through the TIF incentive program, because there was not any funding allocated to those items,” Gunnoe said.

The TIF agreement will fund about 50% to 60% of basic infrastructure, including water, sewer, roads and storm sewer work.

“Any additional items over and above that, there was no allocation. There's not expected to be any available funding,” Gunnoe said, referring to language that had included parks and decorative items. “We went back and we struck those, just to clean it up a little bit and make it more concise.”

Gunnoe also addressed the need for housing, citing a Tuscarawas Economic Development Corp. report from May 9, 2025, and a Dover City Schools report from March 19, 2024. The school report estimates student enrollment has declined by 5% and projects an increase of only 14 students over the next decade, even with developments such as Crimson Cove and the Schaeffler plant.

The TEDC report identified a need for up to 1,067 new housing units in Dover and New Philadelphia through 2030.

In other action, council approved Ordinance 17-26, agreeing to cooperate with the state on construction of sidewalks along both sides of West Third Street.

The ordinance states the city will cover 100% of preliminary engineering, design and right-of-way acquisition costs if needed, while other phases will be funded by federal dollars up to program limits.

Council also passed Emergency Ordinance 22-26, authorizing the mayor or service director to execute the project agreement and allowing the service director to enter into engineering contracts not to exceed $133,000.

Bed tax funds of $5,000 each were approved for the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership’s Adelante Arts Camp and for Warther Museum and Gardens to assist with a new exhibit.

Safety Director Bob Everett said a reminder will be sent with utility bills regarding rules for e-scooter and e-bike use, noting concerns about children riding without required helmets and in restricted areas.

In his report, Gunnoe announced a new community event. In partnership with Fell Realty, the city will host a Kickoff to Summer event May 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dover pool. The event will include free grab bags for the first 350 children, free swimming and activities, with food trucks offering items for purchase.

The next Dover City Council meeting is scheduled for May 18 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St.