EATON – During Eaton City Council’s Monday, March 18, meeting, council recognized the city’s 2023 Employee of the Year and welcomed a new police officer for the EPD.

Each year council pays tribute to an employee who has “performed their duties in such a manner as to bring credit unto the City of Eaton, city council, and themselves during the previous year,” and recognizes them as an employee who “possessed the devotion and duty and highest standards of personal integrity to have imparted this tone of excellence upon the city.”

Police Officer Jacob Isaacs was recognized as the city’s 2023 Employee of the Year for “his achievements in making Eaton a better place to live,” according to the resolution honoring him.

Mayor Matt Venable presented the resolution to Isaacs.

Venable also oversaw the swearing-in of new Police Officer Tori Buffenbarger and welcomed her to the EPD.

In other business, council:

•Held the second reading of and approved an ordinance amending the Flood Plain Overlay District Standards as revised by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

•Held the second readings of an approved ordinances amending the water service rates, water tap-in rates, water capacity rates, wastewater service rates, wastewater tap-in rates and wastewater capacity rates.

•Held the second readings of and approved amendments to chapters of the Unified Development Ordinances dealing with large scale solar facilities, and solar photo energy systems.

Council also approved resolutions:

•Authorizing the Sale of excess public maintenance equipment, a 1995 International dump truck, which will be sold without competitive bidding to a government entity or non-profit agency, or by competitive bidding by means of an internet auction.

•Authorizing the Purchase of a snowplow chassis from Palmer Trucks of Dayton, in the amount of $127,342 for Public Maintenance.

•Authorizing the purchase of a snowplow equipment package for the snowplow chassis from W.A. Jones Truck Bodies and Equipment in Columbia, Indiana, in the amount of $102,455 for Public Maintenance.

•Accepting the 2023 CRA Report.

•Authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Preble County YMCA for Management of the Main Street Aquatic Center for 2024.

•Authorizing the execution of a cash lease agreement for agricultural crop production on 34 acres of city-owned land for 2024 with Joshua Ruebush of Eaton.

•Authorizing purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra Crew Cab truck from Larkin Cobb Chevrolet Buick GMC for $43,415 for the Public Works Division.

•Authorizing the execution of the 2024 CHIP Program Agreement with Preble County.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.