(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

VIENNA — Vienna City Council met Thursday to approve motions and resolutions for services and programs for the city.

Council also discussed the proposed $11.8 million municipal budget for 2025-26, which will be up for final council approval at its next meeting.

During Thursday’s regular meeting, council approved a bid from Nolan Services LLC for a contract for cleaning various City of Vienna buildings at a cost of $6,250 per month.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a one-year economic development agreement between the Wood County Economic Development Authority and the City Of Vienna in the amount of $75,000.

The agreement is a continuation of one approved between the city and the authority in 2024. According to the language in the agreement, its purpose is to secure the assistance of the authority to identify and pursue development incentives, resources and opportunities, as well as to coordinate the logistics of applying and implementing said resources, information, and opportunities to facilitate meetings to prepare for or respond to the economic development opportunities, with a particular focus on the former OVU property, the former Johns Manville property, the downtown business district, and any other opportunities that may arise within the city for business development consideration

Council also approved a resolution approving the position of and approving the appointment of Jack Mathers as City Project Development Coordinator, continuing action council took in 2024.

Council approved a resolution to accept the Public Resource Officer Program Grant of $15,000 which supports the School Resource Officer program at Jackson Middle School.

Council also held discussions regarding possible amendments to the 2025-2026 General Fund Budget and Coal Severance Fund Budget. The final budget proposal is scheduled for a vote at the next regular council meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. March 27.

Council approved amendments to the proposed budget which included changing some line items in the parks department budget to address capital and equipment needs by canceling other proposed work. The changes would zero out, with no additional funding needed, officials said.

During the budget discussion, Councilman Henry Sasyn questioned increases in the city’s employment numbers over the last decade during a time when population and the city’s finances remained flat. He believed something needs to be done to bring down the salaries and compensation figures in the city budget and proposed an amendment for a 10% reduction in those figures across the board, which failed after no other council member seconded it.

Council voted 6-1, with Sasyn opposed, to forward the budget for final approval at the next council meeting, although council members will still have the chance to propose additional amendments before a final vote is taken.

Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com