Perrysburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Perrysburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Zoning Code Update
City staff floated moving detailed technical specs out of the zoning code into a separate Design Spec Book, which would be far easier to update as Ohio Revised Code standards change. It's early-stage — just an FYI for now.
Sanitary Sewer Credits
A homeowner was told by city technicians that a leak on his water service line needed repair, spent about $1,968 on excavation, and no leak was ever found. The city declined reimbursement, saying the leak would have been on the homeowner's side of the curb stop, but committee members acknowledged communication could have been better.
2027 City Budget Appropriations
The committee reviewed the 2027 budget, which shows a modest 3.69% increase overall. The Assistant Law Director position is the only major new spending item.
E. River Road Rezone to Institutional
The city bought the former Mercy Health building to move municipal services there, but the property's zoning (office/service and single-family residential) doesn't allow that use. Rezoning to 'institutional' fixes that and lets the city comply with its own rules. The Planning Commission unanimously backed it in August.
Eckel Road Vacation
A small stub of city right-of-way on Eckel Road, long used as the Michaels property entrance, would be vacated so the owner can maintain and upgrade it.
I-75 Corridor Amendment to Perrysburg Tomorrow Land Use Plan
Perrysburg wants to redesignate roughly 1,225 acres along I-75 for employment-focused development instead of conservation/residential uses. It's a guide, not a rezone — but residents worry it's groundwork for a data center and for pushing into township land.
City-Township Growth Areas and the 99-Year Agreement
Residents questioned why township land appears in Perrysburg's plan. Officials cited the decades-old 99-year agreement making the west side of I-75 the city's primary growth area, with the east side left to township or voluntary owner-initiated annexation.
Roachton Road Rezone to Community Shopping
The owner wants the back parcel rezoned to match the C3 front parcels so an indoor pickleball facility can be built there. Neighbors say they accepted duplex zoning and worry about what business could follow if the pickleball plan fails. The Planning Commission has already recommended denial 5-1.
Community events calendar proposal
Chair Judy Hagen proposed creating a one-stop community calendar for family events, sports sign-ups and free activities — hosted by the city, CVB or Chamber — with PRAC maintaining it. Decision expected in December.
$5,000 PRAC 2026 Expenditure
The park and recreation advisory committee was scheduled to decide how to use a $5,000 allocation from its 2026 budget. No published details indicate what the money would fund.
E-bike and golf cart regulation
E-bikes have caused problems in parks this summer. The city has started an e-bike registration program, and a few bad actors have prompted complaints — including about overly bright new pickleball court lights at night.
Fall planting and winter pruning plans
Crews recently trimmed 63 trees around Nora Drive and Little Creek Drive, removed 16 stumps, and planted 16 new trees — steady upkeep of the city's street tree canopy.
PRAC 2025 Program Ideas
An overnight camp-out idea was scrapped over liability concerns and evolved into a proposed summer movie night. Woodlands Park is the front-runner thanks to power, bathrooms, lighting and parking. Details come in December.
Underused parks: Bicentennial and Three Meadows
With the city budget stretched by downtown renovations and the new River Road building, PRAC's 2027 focus is maximizing what Bicentennial and Three Meadows already offer rather than adding new amenities.
Rivercrest sand volleyball court improvement
The sand volleyball court was installed with the wrong sand. Replacing it properly costs about $17,000, and PRAC is proposing to cover $5,000 now and $5,000 next year, with the rest from other city funds.
Leaf pickup schedule
Leaf collection began October 19 and crews are working from the east side of town to the west, with multiple passes planned and a final sweep starting November 20. Residents should keep an eye on timing for their street.
Appointment of Director of Public Service
Restrooms are being winterized, leaf collection is underway, and new Public Service Director Joe Holland plans winter 'housekeeping' fixes like replacing worn mile markers at Woodlands.
Tree City USA recertification and Growth Award application
Perrysburg's annual Tree City USA recertification and Growth Award application is due the first week of December. Keeping the designation matters for the city's urban forestry credentials and eligibility for related programs.
Park bench donations and Municipal Park sunshades
Sunshades over the baseball field bleachers at Municipal Park are being priced for installation, possibly by the end of 2026 — matching the design already in place elsewhere.
Growth of Perrysburg residential subdivisions
Three separate subdivisions — Coventry Pointe West, Sanctuary in the Woods, and Riverford — moved forward, adding up to dozens of new home sites. More rooftops mean more demand for city services and eventually more traffic in these corridors.
Zane's restaurant coming to The Shoppes at RiverPlace
Zane's Lebanese Grill is converting the former coffee shop space into a full restaurant, adding a small walk-in freezer behind the center. The long-time shopping center owner says it's the only change the property has needed since 2017.
SR 25 and Eckel Junction intersection improvement
The city will pay $6,900 extra to have Mannik & Smith evaluate an idea to improve the rough SR 25/Eckel Junction intersection as part of the corridor study update.
Edward Jones storefront improvements at 12855 Eckel Junction Road
Edward Jones wants to update the exterior storefront at its Southpoint Business Park office, and the architectural review committee weighs in on whether the design fits the park's standards. These reviews keep the business park looking consistent but can add a step for property owners before work begins.
Institutional Rezoning of City-Owned Roachton Road Parcels
A property owner wants to rezone 0.88 acres behind the Horseshoe Bend subdivision from two-family residential to community shopping so a commercial buyer can build there. The Planning Commission already recommended denial, and nearby residents are pushing back.
Assistant Law Director Position
The 2027 law budget proposes a new assistant law director who would also serve as clerk of council — succession planning and a second attorney for the city. Kuhlman wants outside counsel spending history first and suggested exploring a hybrid prosecutor role.
2027 Planning and Zoning Budget
The 2027 budget is up about 6 percent, mostly for new planning and zoning software, with new permit fees expected to cover a good chunk of the cost.
Southern corridor industrial land use plan
A one-page addition to the land use plan would designate land between Route 25 and I-75 for industrial development, helping landowners seeking to annex and market property to businesses without a rezoning delay.
Research & Development code amendment
The city wants to let research and testing businesses open before the full zoning rewrite is done. Light uses must stay fully indoors with no hazardous materials; heavy uses (outdoor testing, drones, ballistics) need special approval and must be 1,000 feet from homes. Some council members want that buffer expanded.
2027 Public Service budget: staffing and smart-fleet technology
Public Service wants a new laborer, two parks positions, AI-equipped truck cameras that spot potholes and track leaf pickup in real time, new mowers, and a dock replacement — plus higher refuse costs from the wage study and truck repairs.
Senior Utility Discount Program
A proposed discount for residents over 65 or disabled residents with limited incomes was tabled while the committee gathers more details, including whether renters and non-resident rate payers should qualify.
SSO Elimination Plan and Ohio EPA DFFO Compliance
The city will submit its sewer overflow elimination plan to the Ohio EPA, with eight projects over 20 years starting in 2028. Meanwhile, Arcadis was picked from nine bidders for the $411,400 construction engineering contract to replace old four-inch cast iron water mains on Front, Second, Third Streets and Indiana Avenue.
Rotary Community Park grant pursuit
Rotary raised $140,000 but the $850,000 project needed help: a state beacon grant cut ~$300,000, $200,000 is in the 2027 budget, and a $500,000 Meta grant application is pending.
Attack campaign response by Council President Rettig
Council President Rick Rettig responded on the record to a 'Rip Off Rick' campaign claiming he oversaw a 79.6% budget increase, arguing the growth funded a second fire station, nine firefighters, wastewater and downtown investments.
Municipal buildings project locked in under budget
The Rudolph Libbe guaranteed maximum price for renovating the Municipal Building, police building, and River Road building came in $2 million under budget. Construction starts in December, and meetings move to the Schaller Building next year.
2027 Fire Department Budget and Staffing
The fire budget is up 6.2% and focuses on replacing aging breathing equipment, ballistic vests and thermal cameras. The chief says the division is not properly staffed and requested three more firefighters — but those aren't in the 2027 numbers.
Pedestrian Safety at I-75 Overpass (Route 20)
A resident raised concerns again about pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Route 20 bridge over I-75. Staff will look at signage and grant options; a real fix would likely wait for an ODOT bridge replacement that isn't planned anytime soon.
Invisible Fence Company Grant
The committee was scheduled to discuss a grant from the Invisible Fence Company. The purpose and value of the grant were not detailed in the published agenda.
Refuse and recycling funding direction
The city must decide how to fund trash service long term — levy or user fee. Both committee members back the levy, but a sixth route, new driver and truck, and a likely modest rate increase are coming as the city grows.
Pet Oxygen Mask Kit Donation
The fire division got eight free pet oxygen mask kits from the Invisible Fence Company's Project Breathe program — enough for every truck that carries oxygen. Pets are frequent fire victims, and now crews can give them oxygen on scene.
Animal Control Officer
The Safety Committee will revisit the animal control officer position eliminated years ago at its October 20 meeting — a frequent community request.
Fire Station 38 Renovation
The fire station kitchen/day-room renovation is about 40-45% done, with cabinets and flooring going in now. The goal is completion by end of November — ahead of the contractor's end-of-year target.
Front Street speed limit fix
Front Street has shown 35 mph signs for years, but the limit was never filed with the state — legally it's 45 or 50. A resolution will make 35 official, and a corridor study may push it lower.
2027 Police Department Budget
The police department's proposed 2027 budget is about $8.8 million, up just 2.3%, with no new positions. Capital items include three marked cruisers, Taser 10 replacements, dispatch workstations and portable radios.
IT staffing and cybersecurity spending
The IT budget adds an administrator and replaces 12 end-of-life network switches, with a big jump in Microsoft licensing tied to cybersecurity needs.
Deputy tax commissioner and enforcement
The tax division wants a deputy tax commissioner (about six months of the year) to handle enforcement — landlords, contractors, delinquencies — plus reminder postcards to boost filings. Tax accounts grew 13% in one year.
Income tax collections trend
September was soft but year-to-date collections are up 0.8%. Net profit taxes are down ~29%, offset by individual and withholding gains, and refunds are running $500,000 lower than last year.
2027 Budget Requests
Tax, IT and Law departments want new positions and tech: a Deputy Tax Commissioner, an IT administrator, an Assistant Law Director/Clerk hybrid, and 12 network switch replacements.
CALEA police accreditation
A $3,978 one-year contract extension keeps the police department on track toward CALEA accreditation — the gold standard in law enforcement accreditation.
2026 Budget Adjustments
Council approved about $75,000 in 2026 budget adjustments — mostly extra money for street and refuse vehicle repairs — and certified the county-determined tax levy amounts, which show only a nominal increase for 2027.
Nonconforming commercial sign updates
The board must decide whether oversized gas station signs that lost their grandfathered status can stay. The same variances were denied in August 2025 and the signs remain in place, so staff is pushing for denial while offering the applicant a narrower color-only fix.