Kent · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kent public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Utility Rates for the 2031 Sewer Relocation Project
The city is planning a major sewer relocation project in 2031 and is weighing utility rate options to pay for it. Residents and businesses could see changes in their water and sewer bills depending on the option chosen.
Exemption from testing for Chief Operator position
The city wants to fill the top operator job at the water reclamation plant without the usual competitive civil service exam. State rules allow this when a candidate's specialized qualifications make testing impractical, and the commission found that standard applied here.
NOPEC Municipal Electricity Purchasing Program
Kent accepted $2,000 for the Heritage Festival plus $49,965 to hold in escrow for future energy-efficiency projects — the old DePeyster building is a candidate.
Horning Road water connection crisis
A Kent family went 23 days without running water after their well failed, and the normal application process wouldn't reach their request until mid-March. Council fast-tracked the tie-in by adding it to the City Manager's Report as an emergency item.
Ohio Public Works grant applications (WRF SCADA and SR 59)
ODOT joined the SR 59 walkability/bike/transit project as a sponsor, replacing three old traffic signals and adding $2 million — at no extra cost to Kent.
Fiber optic construction oversight and safety
After a fatal gas-line strike in nearby Twinsburg, officials explained Kent's permitting process for fiber installers, the temporary right-of-way suspension, and the roughly 30 utility strikes across 175 miles of work — urging residents to call 811 and the Community Development Department, not police, with issues.
WRF Influent Headworks Building Loan
Council authorized a loan agreement with Ohio EPA to help build the Water Reclamation Facility's new influent headworks building — a core piece of the city's sewer and wastewater infrastructure.
Kent-Ravenna emergency water interconnect
The 2002 emergency water-line agreement with Ravenna is being modernized with a six-month trial of new valve and chlorine operations — the line proved critical during the mill fire, when Kent drew roughly six million gallons from Ravenna.
Water main break prevention success
After the 2002 Fairchild Avenue water tower failure, the city reworked its system management — and went 220 days without a single water main break this year, freeing up crews for potholes and streets.