Martins Ferry City Council Emergency Special Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2026

Posted on: February 5, 2026

The Martins Ferry City Council met for an Emergency Special Session on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in the Donald Myers Council Chambers.  The meeting was called to order by Council President Phil Wallace with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those present in chambers, followed by a prayer by the Clerk.   Answering Roll Call were Bob Hunker, First Ward Council Member, Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member; Andrew Smay, Third Ward Council Member; Ryan Robey, Fourth Ward Council Member and James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.  Absent:  Gus Harris, Council at Large Member.    

            This Special Meeting was called to consider legislation only. 

            Mr. Sutak explained that the legislation passed at the Wednesday, January 21 Regular Council Meeting contained dates that were not correct.  If this corrected Resolution is accepted and passed by Council, Mr. Sutak will take it out to the County Auditor who will then give the city a certificate stating how much revenue this levy will provide to the city.  This is the first step in putting a levy on the ballot.  Mr. Sutak reminded everyone that this is a renewal levy and there will not be any additional cost to the citizens.  This certificate will then be given to City Auditor Regis who will review it.  If Auditor Regis agrees with the expected revenue, then 3 special meetings will have to be called to approve the ballot language. 

Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the 72 Hour Rule for reading this Resolution.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried and the Resolution was given a first reading.

A Resolution Requesting The County Auditor To Certify To The City Of Martins Ferry The Total Current Tax Valuation Of The City Of Martins Ferry And The Dollar Amount Of Revenue That Would Be Generated By A Five (5.0) Mill Renewal Levy And Declaring An Emergency.

Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules for three readings.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Smay, Robey, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes.  The motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to pass the Resolution as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed. 

Mr. Sutak said the current Levy expires on the 2025 tax duplicate.  The city will collect through 2026.  This Levy has to be passed this year or the city will lose it.  This is giving the city the first opportunity to put the Levy on the ballot.  If it fails in May, the city still has another chance in November for passage.  Without passage of this levy, the city will not be able to adequately support the Police Department.  If it passes, the levy will be good for 5 years, beginning with collection in 2027.  Tax payers will not pay any more than what they paid when this levy was originally passed.

Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Schramm.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

The next Regular Meeting of the Martins Ferry City Council will be on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. 

___________________________________               ___________________________________
Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council                           Phil Wallace, Council President

___________________________________
Date