Huber Heights · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Huber Heights public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Acquisition of two fire engines
Council locked in a lease-purchase of two fire engines at the originally quoted price — COVID-era supply delays ironically worked in the city's favor — with competitive lease financing found by the finance department.
Drone policy for parks
Richard Moore proposed requiring drone permits in parks, entrance signage, and banning drones over crowds of 30 or more — the board endorsed it for council consideration.
City code updates (Supplement 26 and traffic/general offenses amendments)
Routine housekeeping that keeps the city code current with state law changes — one quarterly supplement and one annual update to traffic and criminal code sections.
Miami Valley Community ID Program
A program through Welcome Dayton issues ID cards to people who lack other identification — helping them access healthcare, libraries, food banks, and police interactions. The commission wants Huber Heights to become a partner, but first the city's police chief needs to agree to accept the card, with a council decision to follow.
Park rules modernization
The city is updating park rules to cover e-bikes and scooters, drones near Wright-Patterson, smoking and vaping, commercial filming, trail etiquette, and pop-up tents and inflatables. Board members will research each topic and bring recommendations next month; smoking rules would go to council as an ordinance.
Consumer fireworks ban
Council debated replacing the unenforceable fireworks ban with state-aligned rules. The fire chief warned legalization spikes injuries; the police chief noted 80-90 calls a year and zero citations in four years. No decision was made — expect more work sessions.
School resource officer agreement renewal
The city and school district will continue the SRO program with three officers for the 2026-2028 school years under the same terms. Council members praised the officers' relationships with students.
Nuisance abatement at four neglected properties
Four properties with junk, overgrowth, or neglect were declared nuisances, so the city will clean them up and bill the owners. Neighbors who complained about blight next door should see action soon.
Police Facility Expansion and New Communications Center
Consultants unveiled floor plans for a renovated/expanded police station and an adaptive reuse of the Timbercrest building as a dispatch center, with a contract amendment to reach 60% design headed to Monday's agenda.
Feral Cat Management Partnership
After April's cat-shooting incident, the city is redirecting Humane Society funds to a new local nonprofit, Ham and Beans Canine Rescue, to run a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats.
Launch of the Citizen Complaint Review Board
The Citizen Complaint Review Board is close to full strength thanks to two volunteers from the city's new Citizens Academy — Janice Clark and Shelly Fusselman — who'll be up for appointment Monday.
Property maintenance enforcement working
The board is weighing whether to bill landlords instead of tenants for water leaks and how to make sure repairs actually get fixed. Rules could count leaks per property or per person, with limits per year.
Juvenile justice communication with Montgomery County
A new juvenile court judge introduced himself and heard blunt feedback that residents feel juvenile offenders face too few consequences; the mayor pushed for a town hall with the court and the new police chief.
Police union contracts through 2028
Behind closed doors, council lined up two police union contracts (dispatchers and records staff) and a property purchase at 7690 Timbercrest Drive for Monday's agenda.
Welcome-home tribute for returning service members
Huber Heights Community Cares wants to honor up to twelve service members returning from overseas deployment with a horse-drawn carriage ride in the Christmas parade, plus a roadside welcome along Brandt Pike. The commission was asked to help identify nominees and possibly fund a banner.
Police Chief Appointment
Council members thanked outgoing Police Chief Mark Lightner for his service and welcomed incoming Chief Mike Lang, praising the search committee's statewide candidate process.
Opioid settlement funds to Dayton Children's partnership
The city wants to spend opioid settlement money on EMDR trauma therapy for Huber Heights kids ages 6-18 through Dayton Children's. One in four children nationally lives with a caregiver who has a substance use disorder, and Children's Huber office has a wait list over 600 patients. A vote is expected Monday.
Wayne High School street lights
A new seven-year lighting contract locks in costs at about $31,000 a year and continues the LED switchover. Council members flagged dark stretches on Brandt Pike, Old Troy Pike, and RipRap that need new lights.
Star Spangled Heights Security Plan
This year's festival will have bag checks, designated entry/exit points, volunteers backed by police, and possibly a state observation tower for police oversight. Clear bags only, with medical and diaper bags subject to search.
Fire Prevention Code Amendments
The city's fire code is being updated to match the 2025 Ohio Fire Code; final vote expected April 13.
Know Your Rights and educational awareness programs
The commission voted to hold forums this fall teaching young people their rights during police encounters, prompted by concerns raised by the police department about youth behavior. A judge, prosecutors, defense attorneys and police will participate.
New city fingerprinting and background check service
The city now offers BCI and FBI background checks in-house for $35 each or $65 for both — cheaper than neighboring jurisdictions and open to everyone.
Police background checks during residential calls
A resident said officers ran a background check on him during a routine house call. Council members asked staff to explain the protocol and whether it should change.
DOJ bulletproof vest grant for police
The police division applies yearly and has never been turned down. The grant covers half the cost of replacing 12–14 vests annually at about $2,000 each, plus vests for new hires.
Half-staff flag volunteer program
The city pays employees overtime to lower and raise flags at half-staff, especially on weekends. A proposal for commission volunteers to take this on failed to get a second but will return next month.
Proposed regional public safety training center
A grant application revealed the city seeks $1.5 million toward a $7.6 million regional police/fire/EMS training center. Resident James Jaglowitz argued the existing Calamityville facility in Fairborn makes this duplicative; the mayor said council hasn't discussed it and it's only a grant wish-list item. The fire division notes it needs local burn tower and driving pad access to keep apparatus in service.
Traffic services unit performance
The city's two-officer traffic services unit logged 1,237 stops and 441 citations since mid-2025, and council members say the visibility is making a difference on problem roads like Shaw Road.
Police staffing increase
The new org chart adds three police officers and one dispatcher to the police force.