Village of Attica
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2026, 7:30 PM
I. Call To Order Regular Council Meeting – Roll Call
Roll call was conducted. Councilman Gray was absent.
Others Present: Law Director Niedermeier, Village Administrator Scott, Fiscal Officer Phillips,
II. Approval Of Warrants And Minutes
Councilman Beamer moved to approve the minutes as presented, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion, vote 4-1, motion carried, Councilman Stanfield opposed
Councilwoman Lenhart moved to approve warrants, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, vote 4-1, motion carried, Councilman Stanfield opposed.
III. Written & Oral Communication
Resident Tammy Collins asked to reserve part of her time for the Solicitor's arrival. She referred to a May 14 newspaper article that quoted a village official as saying the water plant "could blow up any day now" and that a corrosion study was needed. She noted that the minutes for the May 14, 2026 council meeting appeared to be missing from the village website. Staff checked the posted list, which showed April 23, May 24, and May 28. It was noted May 24th minutes were wrongly posted with the title May 24th instead of May 14th, the correction was made.
Ms. Collins asked for an update on the corrosion study and on the sale of the water plant. Councilman Beamer said there was no update on the study and that the Solicitor was working on the potential sale.
Ms. Collins asked that the village website, in its right-hand menu, include an area listing local clubs. She explained that newcomers to the community had difficulty finding clubs. Councilwoman Lenhart noted the work was under way.
Ms. Collin inquired on the status of the non-functioning fire hydrants, Village Administrator Scott noted the new hydrants are on order and have yet to arrive.
Upon the solicitor’s arrival, Ms. Collins lastly inquired about the rules surrounding the use of the proceeds from the sale of the water plant, noting she would like to see a sinking fund established so the monies could assist in debt repayment and lower resident water charges. Councilman Beamer noted that the potential sale of the water plant is still in a very preliminary phase, no sale contract is in place, official timing of the water connection to Northern Ohio Rural Water, the completion of the corrosion control study, and the closure of the water plant is still undefined. Also, the Village has yet to be assured of the ability to sell water plant assets that are held as collateral or of the legalities of selling to a prospective foreign buyer.
IV. Committee Matters
1. Public Safety
No update
2. Streets And Properties
Village Administrator Scott reported that seven weed notices had been issued and that the village had to mow one property, at a cost of $470.
3. Parks
Village Administrator Scott reported that the portable toilet vendor had picked up the last unit for the season.
4. Trees
No update
5. Fire
No update
6. EMS
No update
7. Cemetery
No update
8. Personnel
Village Administrator Scott noted an employment application he was passing along to the personnel committee for review.
9. Zoning Commission
No update
10. Finance And Rule
Fiscal Officer Phillips presented Resolution 2026-10, accepting the 2027 tax rates proposed by Seneca County. He explained that the village's only active levy is the parks levy, which the county anticipates will generate about $500 more than the current year, roughly $19,500 total for the year.
Councilman Stanfield inquired on license tax revenues and gas tax revenues, Fiscal Officer Phillips noted those collections are separate from the County’s tax budget which is focused around property tax items, but noted those collections roughly generate $65K annually.
Councilman Stanfield inquired why those funds weren’t being used to fix roads. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted that $65K would not pave a road, with street department revenues of $65K annually; those funds are currently used for payroll used to patch potholes and plow streets. Councilman Stanfield asked why the fund balances weren’t being used to repave streets. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted if all funds are spent to fix half a road, no money would remain to fund operations. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted the Village’s general insurance policy alone costs $85K annually, and the health insurance policy is $45K annually, without sufficient tax revenue major road resurfacing is not feasible, Fiscal Officer Phillips noted the Village has no income tax and receives very little property tax funds from the County.
Councilman Stanfield challenged the use of the sewer capital/debt fund (5702) for roughly $96,000 of sewer plant work and the replacement of lagoon aerators. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted the aerator replacement is replacing capital equipment that hold a useful life of 20 years, while noting the ongoing maintenance of the lagoon and aerators is an operating expense, the complete replacement of the aerator system is a capital investment. Councilman Stanfield argued the 5702 fund is for sewer debt retirement. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted the name of the fund is enterprise improvement and that both sewer debt and sewer capital revenue generated from the rate card go into fund 5702 where debt retirement and capital investment is appropriated. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted no objection to separating sewer capital and sewer debt into two separate funds, council would just need to legislate the creation of a new fund. Mayor Sanders noted that if it was an issue the auditors would have encouraged us to make that change over the past decade. Councilman Stanfield argued the fund is egregiously over-saturated with funds that should be for sewer debt retirement and recommended council review Ordinance 2016-17. Fiscal Officer Phillips encouraged council to note the rate card and previous monthly revenue data where Sewer Capital generates roughly $18K a month and the sewer debt fee generates roughly $500 a month, with the vast majority of the 5702 fund revenue generation stemming from the sewer capital fee. Notably, the annual sewer debt payment is roughly $59K
Mayor Sanders asked council to focus back on the proposed legislation, Councilwoman Lenhart moved to pass Resolution 2026-10, accepting the 2027 tax rates proposed by Seneca County, Councilman Beamer seconded, voted 5-0 in favor, motion carried.
11. Water And Sewer
Council members discussed rumors and social media posts about brown water. Village Administrator Scott said the filters and filter media likely needed rebuilding and more frequent washing, but that it was too late to change them given the plan to close the plant. Members stated that, according to the water operator, Mark, the water is safe to drink and that routine testing continues.
Village Administrator Scott reported that a meter had been sent to an outside testing company in Indiana, because the usual provider no longer performs the test. Results were expected in two to three weeks.
12. Village Web Site & IT
No update
13. Train Derailment
No update
V. Unfinished – Old Business – New Business
Village Administrator Scott reported that the last speed sign arrived and was installed that day.
Village Administrator Scott asked about an ordinance or procedure to tow and impound unroadworthy or untagged vehicles, noting roughly 25 to 30 such vehicles around the village. The Sheriff regarded the matter as civil, and the county prosecutor had been contacted. Members said an existing ordinance allows a violation notice with five days to correct, followed by a $150 per day penalty, the same as the weed ordinance. Members agreed that enforcement was needed.
a. Council Meeting 11/26/26 – Thanksgiving
Members agreed to move the Thanksgiving-week council meeting to Monday, November 23.
b. Council Meeting 12/24/26 – Christmas Eve
Members agreed to move the Christmas Eve council meeting to Monday, December 21.
Councilwoman Lenhart - Motion to move the November 26, 2026 council meeting to Monday, November 23, and the December 24,2026 council meeting to Monday, December 21, 2026. Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Vote 5-0 in favor, motion carried.
The meeting dates will be posted on Facebook and updated on the village calendar.
VI. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, At 7:30PM
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
VII. Executive Session
No executive session held
VIII. Adjournment Of Meeting
Councilman Beamer made motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 PM, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion, Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Fiscal Officer
Mayor / Council President Pro Tempore
