Tiffin City Council is moving toward an $18.6 million storm sewer project that would bring extensive underground infrastructure improvements to several city neighborhoods, with construction on the proposed contract expected to begin in 2027 and continue through 2029.
The Northern Storm Sewer Project would affect Clay Street, Miami Street, portions of Adams Street, North Monroe Street, Jackson Street and Wentz Street. Plans include three new stormwater outfalls into the Sandusky River, along with new curbs and full-width resurfacing of affected roadways.
City Engineer Matt Watson presented the plans to council’s Streets, Sidewalks and Sewers Committee on October 26. At its November 2 meeting, council gave first readings to legislation preparing the project for construction and authorizing the city to seek financing through Ohio’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund.
The city expects to use a 30-year loan, with revenue from its sewer fund designated for repayment. Construction bids are anticipated by March 2027. The financing and construction measures, Resolution 2026-51 and Ordinance 2026-72, remain before council for further consideration.
Sewer improvements are part of a nearly $160 million plan
The project is part of Tiffin’s effort to reduce combined sewer overflows under an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency-mandated Long Term Control Plan.
Combined sewer systems carry wastewater and stormwater through the same pipes. During heavy rainfall, the volume can exceed the system’s capacity, causing untreated or partially treated wastewater to discharge into nearby waterways. Tiffin’s plan requires the city to reduce combined sewer overflows to four events during a typical year and eliminate bypass events at its wastewater treatment facility.
The work represents a substantial long-term financial commitment. When Tiffin calculated the cost of its sewer-control improvements in 2015, the estimate was approximately $82.4 million. A 2022 update incorporating inflation, revised construction schedules and additional maintenance increased the projected cost to nearly $160 million.
The Northern Storm Sewer Project addresses combined sewer overflow basins 9 through 13 and 15. The city’s published implementation plan divides improvements in those basins into multiple phases, with a broader construction schedule beginning in 2026 and a required completion date of July 1, 2029. The $18.6 million contract discussed November 2 is scheduled for bidding in 2027.
Watson said the northern project would improve the stormwater system while rebuilding affected streets. Replacing underground infrastructure and restoring the roadway during the same construction project is part of the city’s approach to limiting repeated excavation and pavement restoration.
Council is also beginning work on another sewer project covering combined sewer overflow basins 14, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Watson presented a preliminary $5 million budget figure for that phase, with planning expected between 2027 and 2029. Detailed design is tentatively scheduled for 2034 through 2037, followed by construction between 2035 and 2038.
Resolution 2026-52 would authorize the city to seek financing for planning expenses, while Ordinance 2026-73 would permit the selection of an engineering consultant. Both received first readings November 2.
City prepares $1.46 million paving program and West Market improvements
Alongside the sewer work, Tiffin is preparing a $1.46 million street paving program for 2027, funded entirely through the city’s Road and Bridge Levy.
Watson told the Streets, Sidewalks and Sewers Committee that the city expects to advertise for bids in January, with construction scheduled between April and September 2027. Street selections will depend on pavement conditions, anticipated utility work and available funding.
City Administrator Nick Dutro credited the levy with expanding Tiffin’s ability to complete street improvements. He also reminded council that utility companies generally cannot reopen completed roadway projects for five years, except in emergencies.
Ordinance 2026-69, authorizing preparations for the paving program, received its first reading.
Council also advanced plans to resurface West Market Street between U.S. 224 and Teakwood Drive. The project includes curbed traffic islands near Shaffer Park Drive intended to restrict left turns across multiple lanes of traffic.
The city has secured an Ohio Department of Transportation Urban Paving Program grant covering 80% of eligible resurfacing expenses, up to $1 million. The Road and Bridge Levy will finance the local contribution.
City documents contain different cost estimates for the West Market project. An October 6 announcement placed the estimate at $1.56 million, while proposed Ordinance 2026-70 lists an overall cost of $1.872 million, including $1.36 million for resurfacing. The documents do not reconcile the difference.
Engineering work is scheduled to begin in 2027. The city’s October announcement projected construction in 2029, with state funding programmed for ODOT’s 2030 fiscal year. Ordinance 2026-70, authorizing agreements with ODOT and a design consultant, received its first reading November 2.
East Perry Street reconstruction moves ahead with state funding
Another major roadway project would reconstruct East Perry Street between Jefferson Street and the Sandusky River, continuing improvements completed between Greenfield Street and Jefferson Street in 2023.
The project would remove the existing pavement and underlying brick base, replacing them with a new stone foundation and asphalt surface. The proposed ordinance places the overall project estimate at approximately $1.37 million, including nearly $1.05 million for construction.
Tiffin has already secured an ODOT grant of up to $968,620 through the Small Cities Program. The grant covers 80% of eligible construction and inspection expenses, with local costs financed through the Road and Bridge Levy.
Design is expected to begin in 2027, with construction planned for 2030. Ordinance 2026-71, authorizing the necessary ODOT and engineering agreements, received its first reading.
Council also voted 6-0 to authorize an application for additional pedestrian and streetscape improvements along the same section of East Perry Street. The separate project, estimated at approximately $1.4 million, includes sidewalks, curbs, decorative concrete, driveway and alley approaches, and decorative street lighting.
Officials intend to coordinate the streetscape work with roadway reconstruction if the grant is awarded. Because ODOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program application deadline is November 16, council unanimously suspended its usual three-reading requirement and passed Ordinance 2026-74 as an emergency measure.
City seeks riverfront development proposals and prepares park sale
Dutro also updated council on efforts to find a developer for approximately 0.67 acres of city-owned land along the Sandusky River near Madison and Front streets.
The property, located on the river’s east bank next to City Lot 6, became available for development proposals on October 28. The city is working with the Seneca County Collaborative to identify a financially viable use for the site.
Tiffin has established neither an asking price nor a preferred development concept. Officials will consider proposals involving housing, commercial uses, hospitality, recreation or mixed-use development. A property sale is preferred, although other arrangements may be considered.
Proposals must preserve existing public parking within City Lot 6. The city is accepting submissions on a rolling basis without a fixed deadline, and any transaction will require council approval.
The parcel is within Tiffin Community Reinvestment Area No. 1, where eligible new construction can qualify for a 15-year, 100% real property tax exemption on the assessed value of the new improvements. The incentive is subject to program requirements and required approvals.
Dutro also discussed plans to sell Tiffin East Park, formerly known as Louisa K. Fast Park, along North State Route 101.
The property was once used by the federal government for grain storage before being transferred to Tiffin for recreational use. Dutro described the park as underutilized and said the city had been working with the federal government to make the site available for another use.
At the November 2 meeting, he said competitive bidding through the U.S. General Services Administration was expected to begin that week. The federal government lists the property as the Former Tiffin Grain Bin Site, although the anticipated auction opening was not independently confirmed.
Under the planned sale arrangement, federal deed restrictions associated with the property’s former public use would be removed, allowing a new owner to pursue other permitted uses.
Council approves property acquisition, budget amendments and energy agreement
Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-64, authorizing the city to acquire property at 419 S. Sandusky St. The measure passed 6-0 after its third reading.
Members also approved $71,530.32 in amendments to the city’s 2026 budget through Ordinance 2026-75, which passed 6-0 after suspension of the three-reading requirement.
The appropriations include $17,866.75 for cybersecurity insurance across the finance, street maintenance, parks and recreation, wastewater treatment and sewer maintenance departments. Another $8,663.57 was appropriated to the police department from a vehicle-fuel refund received through the Seneca County Auditor’s Office.
The remaining $45,000 came from the North Central Behavioral Health Board for the Municipal Court PIVOT Program.
In a separate unanimous vote, council approved Ordinance 2026-77, authorizing Tiffin to participate in an aggregated electricity and natural gas purchasing program administered by the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, or NOPEC.
The agreement concerns the city’s own municipal utility accounts. Specific energy rates will be established through the procurement process, which combines Tiffin’s purchasing needs with those of other participating municipalities.
Council also introduced Ordinance 2026-76, establishing compensation for the city’s law director beginning January 1, 2028. The proposal sets an annual salary of $80,000 and a separate $10,000 annual reimbursement for administrative assistance, along with health and life insurance benefits. The measure received its first reading.
Separately, council revisited legislation allowing property owners to receive reimbursement for installing sewer-backup prevention devices. Members voted 5-1 to extend the proposed program to qualifying installations completed earlier in 2026, but delayed final approval pending revised ordinance language. TiffinOhio.net previously reported the amendment and the debate over the proposed grants of up to $2,000.
Behavioral health director promotes mobile crisis services
North Central Behavioral Health Board Executive Director Mircea Handru addressed council about the agency’s regional expansion and the availability of mobile mental health crisis services.
The board consolidated with Huron County on July 1, forming a five-county district serving Seneca, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties. Handru explained that property tax revenue collected within each county remains dedicated to services for its residents, while the consolidated organization shares administrative expenses and can pursue larger grants.
Handru also encouraged residents to use the Mobile Crisis Response Team, which sends trained responders to people experiencing mental health or addiction crises in homes and other community settings.
Seneca County has two-person teams assigned during the first and second shifts, with overnight coverage shared regionally. The teams can respond alongside law enforcement when needed and also handle calls without police involvement.
Residents experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988 and request mobile crisis assistance. Online chat is also available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Handru’s appearance came one day before Seneca County voters decided whether to renew the agency’s existing 0.7-mill property tax levy for another 10 years. The measure passed November 3 with 12,285 votes in favor, or 65.7%, and 6,426 against, or 34.3%, according to unofficial county results.
Mayor reports infrastructure updates as budget hearings begin
Mayor Lee Wilkinson reported November 2 that crews were installing upgraded traffic signal poles along North Sandusky Street while the city awaited delivery of pedestrian crossing signals.
Construction also continued on the interceptor sewer improvement project near Frost Parkway and Adams Street. Crews were boring beneath the Sandusky River near Water Street and Riverside Drive, with the northern end of Jefferson Street closed during the work. Aqua Ohio was continuing utility work in the Clinton Avenue area.
Wilkinson highlighted the opening of the Hedges Hills Pump Track at Hedges-Boyer Park, a recreational facility designed for bicycles, skateboards and other wheeled activities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for November 5.
The mayor also announced that Ohio Magazine selected Tiffin as one of its five Best Hometowns for 2026–2027. State Sen. Bill Reineke issued a legislative tribute recognizing the city.
Tiffin’s fall leaf collection program continues through November 20, with residents required to use approved clear leaf bags.
Six of the seven council members attended the November 2 meeting, with Councilmember Kyle Daugherty absent. Council scheduled Committee of the Whole budget discussions for November 9 at 5:15 p.m., November 16 at 6 p.m. and November 23 at 5:15 p.m. An additional meeting may be held November 30.
The next immediate infrastructure deadline is November 16, when the city’s East Perry Street streetscape grant application is due to ODOT. Council must also complete its consideration of the Northern Storm Sewer Project’s financing and bidding legislation before the anticipated March 2027 bid opening.
