Vandalia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Vandalia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Charter revision report to City Council
The committee is considering writing a required charter review — at least every ten years — into the charter itself. The last review was a decade ago, and members worry that without a requirement, problems pile up until a crisis forces a fix.
2026-2027 Tax Rates and Levies
Council formally accepted the county-certified tax amounts and rates, which sets what Vandalia property owners pay this tax year. Revenue estimates assume 95 percent collection.
Delinquent utility and service assessments
Unpaid stormwater, trash, water and sewer, weed cutting, and property maintenance charges are being turned over to the county to collect as property assessments.
2027 Budget Workshops
Council is working through next year's budget in a series of workshops; the second session is Monday, October 26 at the municipal building.
Dayton airport air service and economic development
The airport is rebranding, adding low-cost Breeze Airways flights, and trying to recapture travelers who drive to Cincinnati or Columbus. Development around the airport has created over 4,000 jobs and sends about $1.2 million a year to Vandalia schools through TIF/CRA agreements. The chamber wants Vandalia to chip in $25,000 for the air-service incentive fund.
City Manager Removal Process
The charter rules for suspending or removing a city manager are being reworked with fairer timelines — more time to hire a lawyer, request a hearing, and prepare. Members argued the changes protect the city's ability to attract qualified manager candidates.
Nomination petition signature rules
The revised Article IX would hand petition handling largely to the state's rules and the Board of Elections, while keeping Vandalia's lower signature thresholds — about 20% below state requirements. That makes it easier for citizens to get an issue on the ballot.
Johnson Station Road bridge replacement funding
The city and ODOT are partnering to replace the Johnson Station Road Bridge, with bid letting October 29, 2026. Most of the cost is covered by grants, but the city pays $238,723.
Mulberry Road development
Council took the first step on annexing the western portion of Mulberry Road from Butler Township into Vandalia. The land is entirely state-owned, and the ordinance lets the law director handle the proceedings.
Health insurance stop loss transition to Jefferson Health Plan
The city's stop loss insurance quote from United Healthcare came in 29% higher, part of a national trend of soaring large-claim costs. Joining the Jefferson Health Plan consortium is projected to save about $82,000 next year and stabilize costs long-term, without changing employee plans.
Rewriting Initiative and Referendum Rules
The charter's referendum process is getting an overhaul, and the committee is leaning toward simply following the Ohio Revised Code and state forms rather than city-drafted petitions. This matters if you ever want to petition to overturn or propose an ordinance — a neighboring city's confusing charter language cost it a special election.
Cybersecurity staffing and compliance mandates
The state's new cybersecurity law is piling vendor-vetting, asset-tracking, and logging duties on a four-person IT department. Council debated hiring a fifth position versus cutting staff elsewhere — with members warning a cyber attack could shut the city down for weeks.
Police Fleet Upfits
The police fleet gets three new 2027 Ford Police Interceptor Utility cruisers, with three old ones declared surplus. It was already in the 2026 budget.
Small box retail zoning overhaul
The zoning code's one-size-fits-all 'retail' category is being split into specific types so the City can tailor rules to each kind of retail business. It passed first reading and heads to a second vote.
City manager removal process
The charter rules for suspending or removing a city manager are being reworked with fairer timelines — more time to hire a lawyer, request a hearing, and prepare. Members argued the changes protect the city's ability to attract qualified manager candidates.
Little York / South Brown School Road intersection congestion
A busy intersection would get turn-lane extensions, a new westbound right-turn lane and drainage fixes, a $2.2 million project the city hopes the state will largely fund.
New Public Works Facility Construction
A resident asked Council to name the new Public Works building after Lewis Thomas Hellard, who spent decades serving the city as an equipment operator, parks supervisor and assistant fire chief. The City has a formal naming process, which the Manager will share with Council.
Water Main Replacement Near the Pool
The city locked in $500,000 in state funding for watermain replacement on four streets and accepted $50,000 in grant money for sewer pipe lining — plus a $52,795 sewer fix on Bristol Drive serving about 220 homes.
Small box retail regulation
Vandalia is freezing new permits for small box discount stores for 180 days while the city rewrites zoning rules for them. This shapes what kind of retail can open in your neighborhood.
Removal of Councilmembers (Charter Section 3-8)
Vandalia's current charter allows removing a councilmember with just one vague sentence — a felony conviction or failure to fulfill duties, requiring five council votes. Members want clearer standards, possibly adding misdemeanor misconduct, plus written notice before removal.
Vice Mayor Follick Resignation and Council Vacancy
Corey Follick's departure left a council seat open, and seven residents applied to fill it. Council interviewed all candidates privately and picked Steven Clark for the unexpired term. The wide, qualified field was a good sign for civic engagement in Vandalia.
Senior Citizen Center conceptual plans
The Senior Center has more than 860 members and is running out of space for luncheons, crafts and programs. The city is paying for design work to decide between expanding the current site on S. Tionda Drive or moving into the Recreation Center.
Fire Division lieutenant staffing plan
The fire chief's quarterly report shows response times on target and the squad program cutting engine/ladder out-of-pocket time in half. Council discussed false alarm fines and the possibility of a southern substation as new retirement-oriented housing develops.
Tri-Cities Wastewater Facility upgrade
A major sewer upgrade is coming with projected cost increases, and capacity fees for new homes and businesses across all three partner cities are under discussion.
Rite Aid property redevelopment
Synergy presented concepts for redeveloping the former Rite Aid property, seen as a kickoff to downtown redevelopment — with questions about remodeling versus rebuilding and parking.
Dispatch Radio Console Replacement
The police department's dispatch consoles go out of support in 2029; Motorola is offering a 42% discount this year, so council approved a $219,208 no-bid purchase.
Dollar General variance at 9375 N. Dixie Drive
A developer wanted to build a 9,100-square-foot Dollar General where city zoning caps retail at 5,000 square feet. The BZA narrowly recommended approval, but council shut it down 6-1.
Poplar Grove Sanitary Sewer Protection
A sanitary sewer main near the east end of Poplar Grove Drive has been exposed by creek erosion and needs protecting. Council hired Choice One Engineering to design the fix, with construction planned for 2027.
Municipal Court Supplemental Funding
The Vandalia Municipal Court says it needs about $149,584 more this year for staffing, ADA website compliance, and furniture. Some councilmembers want a Supreme Court caseload study before committing, and at least one plans to vote no.