Members of Sylvania City Council passed the 2025 city budget after its second reading during the Nov. 18 meeting.
Council also approved Economic Development Director Bill Sanford’s request for the creation of a Tax Increment Financing area on Holland-Sylvania Road near Harroun Road. This will allow the city to allocate the increased tax revenue from new development in this area toward a roadway capital improvement project.
Sylvania Service Director Joe Shaw’s recommendation to award the $4,401,234 bid to Helms & Sons Excavating, Inc. for Phase One of the Downtown Transportation Improvement Project was approved. Councilwoman Lindsay Stough commended Shaw and his staff for their efforts in obtaining all but $1,400,000, which has been budgeted and will be the city’s financial obligation for the project to begin in 2025.
City council members also gave approval for Shaw to place a 2005 Chevrolet Impala and a 2018 Ford Explorer for sale by auction on  GovDeals.com.
In other business, council voted to endorse and support the America250OH programs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
A public meeting has been set for Jan. 6, 2025, at 7:15 pm for the proposed Planned Development amendment change from commercial to residential for town home construction in Centennial Crossings.
Mayor Craig Stough presented an update on the recent trip to Sylvania’s Sister City, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Several members of the Sisters City Commission along with Mayor Stough, Council President Mark Fry,  Councilman Marcus Hansen, Sylvania Chief of Police Dannilynn Miller and Sylvania Town Crier Mike Lieber attended. The mayor and town crier also participated in the annual Woodstock Santa Claus Parade.