Kent · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kent public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
JEDD Board Appointments and Contract Review
The Franklin-Kent JEDD brings in income tax revenue shared with Franklin Township, and its board terms are expiring. Council will consider re-appointing two members and discuss why expanding the JEDD's business participation has been difficult.
Feeding Wild Animals and Fowl Ordinance Amendment
The city is proposing to amend its rules on feeding wild animals and fowl. Depending on the final language, this could affect residents who feed birds or other wildlife in their yards. The emergency clause means any change would take effect immediately upon adoption.
Feral Cat Feeding Ordinance
Kent's ordinance bans feeding wild animals, and feral cats are currently included. The Law Director wants feral cats removed from the ban so council can consider alternatives like TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs, following resident emails on both sides.
Gas-powered leaf blowers
City Council has asked the Sustainability Commission to weigh in on gas-powered leaf blowers, which raise concerns about noise and emissions. Any eventual rules could affect landscaping companies and homeowners alike.
Towing and storage fee review request
City Service and Bakers Service Center asked the city to raise the city's towing and storage fees. The city manager issued a temporary rate increase on October 5 while council works toward a final decision.
Rescission of Klaben CRA tax-incentive agreements
Two tax-incentive deals with Klaben Auto Group were scrapped because the dealerships' national corporate parents wouldn't release construction payroll data. Oddly, this is good news for schools: they now collect full property taxes instead of a quarter of them.
Cemetery worker pay raises
Standing Rock Cemetery staff will see cost-of-living raises effective June 1, 2026, with hourly rates between $14 and $22.50 depending on classification.
Rural EMS and dispatch modernization grant
A proposed ordinance lets the Kent Fire Department apply for a state grant to buy dispatch software and equipment for its paramedicine program — a boost for emergency response if awarded.
Corporate money in politics and Citizens United
The annual charter-required hearing lets residents weigh in on whether corporate campaign spending is drowning out ordinary voters. Speakers pushed for a 28th Amendment overturning Citizens United.
2025 Charter Review Commission Council action
Voters will be asked to lower the vote needed to suspend the rules and pass emergency measures from three-fourths to two-thirds, matching Robert's Rules — something council says would make special meetings easier.
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.
KPD kennel volunteer program
Resident Shauna Roach asked the city to allow screened, trained volunteers to walk, play with, and comfort dogs held at the Kent Police Department kennel, inspired by two huskies, Nikki and Jacob, who waited there for weeks. Council directed staff to look into the proposal.
Sidewalk Snow Removal Enforcement Expansion
Two council members called out neighbors who don't shovel, noting icy sidewalks endanger students, older residents, and dog walkers — especially on Kent's east side. They floated a community campaign and honoring good snow-clearers.
Standing Sustainability Committee Proposal
Council weighed creating a dedicated sustainability committee to improve information flow between council and the Sustainability Commission. The motion failed without a second, and members instead asked for quarterly commission updates and better visibility on climate action plan work.
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.
North Mantua Street improvement project
The city is applying for $500,000 in ODOT funds for the North Mantua Street corridor — money that could ease future street improvements without hitting local taxpayers as hard.
Student and pedestrian safety as school year begins
With KSU students back and Route 59 torn up, council members urged drivers to slow down, watch for students crossing, and obey school bus stop laws.
School Resource Officer in Kent City Schools
The agreement between the city and Kent schools for school resource officers was extended to June 1, 2027, keeping police in school buildings another year.
Public Health
West Nile virus has officially popped up in three local samples, meaning it's time to bust out the bug spray and ditch any standing water around your yard. Stay smart outdoors so you don't end up sick.
2027 Tax Budget and 2026 Appropriations Adjustments
Council advanced the year's second budget amendment — roughly $850,000 in increased appropriations — for approval.
John Davey Arboretum joint use agreement
A ten-year joint use agreement lets visitors park at the SEED campus and walk a new North Mantua Street sidewalk between the arboretum cabin, restrooms, and campus.
2027 Tax Budget Adoption
Council adopted the city's tax budget for fiscal year 2027 and sent it to the county auditor — the annual paperwork that underpins city revenue.
Firefighter safety equipment grant
The fire department can now apply for a $25,000 Joey D. Foundation grant to buy "personal bailout" gear that helps firefighters escape dangerous situations.
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.
Solar array at 800 Mogadore Road brownfield
A consultant showed the 17.7-acre ABB-owned brownfield could host a 3.5-megawatt solar array, but current law limits sales to the wastewater plant next door — and getting power there means negotiating with CSX. Council voted to back state community-solar bills that could unlock the project.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car CRA agreement revision
The tax-break deal for renovating the long-vacant Longitano building at 1225 West Main was rewritten with fewer relocated jobs — 49 part-time and 1 full-time, payroll of $825,000 instead of $1.4 million — but council called it still a win for the West Main corridor.
Standing Rock Cemetery Funding and Governance
Property owners in both Kent and Franklin Township will continue paying .60 mills to support Standing Rock Cemetery for tax year 2026. The resolution still needs more readings before it's final.
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.
Needham Avenue Emergency Access
Cars parked on both sides of narrow Needham Ave were blocking fire trucks. New rules ban parking on the south side near the hydrants.
Franklin Avenue Seasonal Closure Length
Main Street Kent surveyed its DORA participants and wants to shift the Franklin Street closure from May–October to Memorial Day–Labor Day. They'll present at next month's committee meeting — the closure itself isn't going away.
Main Street construction frustration
A resident told council that Main Street construction is making even short trips take 20-plus minutes. Ongoing work downtown is testing residents' patience.
Rail Crossing Quiet Zones
The city has been researching quiet zones at the CSX crossing on Summit Street since January — no more train horns, but at a price that depends entirely on what the railroads demand, plus safety trade-offs for trespassers along the tracks. Community feedback comes at the next workshop.
Railroad quiet zones
Roger Bliss laid out how federal quiet-zone rules could let trains skip horn blasts at Kent crossings without sacrificing safety. The city has already funded the required study, and findings will go to committee once it's done.
Floodplain regulation updates (KCO 1337)
Kent's floodplain rules date to 2009 and must match FEMA's current definitions for residents in flood zones to keep federal flood insurance. A licensed city engineer — not the chief building official — will now administer floodplain permits.
Ward 2 Representation Restored
Ward 2 had been without a council member; Eric Dreger's appointment restores representation for those residents through the end of 2027.
Summit/Stowe Street bridge replacement and trail connection
Kent and Kent Schools will jointly study bike and pedestrian connections through the high school campus, including extending the Lake Rockwell Trail — a potential safe-routes win for students.
Cybersecurity plan adoption
Kent formally approved cybersecurity policies the state now requires under ORC §9.64 — housekeeping, but it protects city systems and resident data.
School Board Election
Four candidates are stepping up for the Kent City School Board in November, and your vote will help decide who shapes the future of local education. It's time to check out who's running so you can pick the best leaders for our schools.
Mayor Death
Kent's longtime mayor, Jerry Fiala, has passed away, marking a huge turning point for local leadership. The city council will now need to figure out the succession plan to fill his massive shoes.
Mayoral Death
Kent is mourning the death of longtime Mayor Jerry Fiala, a fixture in local government whose passing truly marks the end of an era for the city. His decades of steady leadership shaped Kent's politics and community identity.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Kent is hooking up brand new EV chargers right at City Hall, so you can easily juice up your ride while you take care of city errands. It's a quick and convenient upgrade for local drivers making the switch to electric.
Elected Officials Salaries
Kent's mayor and city council are getting pay bumps, but don't worry, they won't actually kick in until the next term starts. It's a standard move to make sure officials aren't voting on their own immediate paychecks.
Tobacco Sales Ban Exemption
A local vape shop is pushing Kent city leaders for a special exemption to the under-21 tobacco sales ban, arguing it's only fair since a hookah lounge already got a pass. If council says yes, expect a major showdown over how these youth restriction rules are actually enforced.