By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
What began as a routine year-end meeting for Bucyrus City Council ended in chaos Monday night after Council President Kurt Fankhauser abruptly walked out, refusing to call a vote on a motion involving the council’s Facebook page. Despite the disruption, council continued the meeting without him and passed several key items, including the 2026 operating budget.
Airport Legislation Sparks Early Friction
The night opened with disagreement over two airport grant ordinances that arrived after the agenda deadline. Fankhauser declined to add them, prompting Councilman Kevin Myers to request a special meeting next week and briefly move to adjourn on the spot—an effort that failed. The airport items will now be taken up on December 8.
Residents Raise Sharp Questions
Three residents challenged council on issues ranging from back-tax settlements to the absence of fire inspection reports for festival vendors. Another speaker criticized the city’s handling of economic development and warned he may move a planned business project out of Bucyrus.
Budget Approved, Committees Reorganized
Council adopted the 2026 budget as an emergency measure and passed an updated taxi ordinance and investment policy. The Rules of Procedure ad hoc committee was dissolved after members acknowledged they would not finish the rewrite before year-end, citing complications from the city’s email and IT transition.
Mayor, Police, and Fire Give Updates
Mayor Bruce Truka announced that all city departments will transition to KOSI (King Office Service, Inc)-managed IT systems and Spectrum internet by December 31 as the city prepares for a formal cybersecurity policy in January.
Police Chief Dorsey reported 854 November calls and reiterated the department’s need for additional officers, though the new budget does not fund those hires. The Fire Chief offered holiday safety reminders and explained ongoing restrictions at the former YMCA building.
Fankhauser Refuses Vote, Walks Out
Near the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Clarissa Slater raised concerns that the Bucyrus City Council Facebook page—long used to share meeting notices—had been removed. Fankhauser previously emailed council stating the page wasn’t officially authorized and had been disabled.
Slater moved to direct him to restore the page and add additional administrators.
Fankhauser replied, “I’m not doing that vote,” then refused to recognize a follow-up motion and abruptly declared the meeting adjourned without a motion or vote before walking out with the gavel.
Council Continues Without Fankhauser
With the law director present, the remaining members concluded the meeting was not adjourned, as no vote occurred. They formally seated President Pro Tem Myers to preside. Slater then requested emergency legislation requiring Fankhauser to reactivate the page, restore content, and add admins by December 12. The motion passed and will appear on the December 8 agenda. Should Fankhauser refuse to comply after passage, council may seek a court order.
Council adjourned properly at 8:49 p.m., without the council president, or the gavel, present.
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Thank goodness that child is done at the end of the year.
Thank goodness Slater will not be on council. She talks way too much, rambles on and on. I hope Myers limits her public participation.
He’s an embarrassment to Bucyrus can’t believe that they haven’t gotten rid of him sooner.
Unlike most city’s in Ohio who support their fire service most people in Bucyrus do not until their own property becomes involved, Cut the manpower then their insurance rates go up, As it goes pay now or pay later, Either pay for your fire department or pay for higher insurance rates, which would you rather pay? Not to mention if you need medical help it’s nice to know they are on there way. ———– Right. William Kurtz Retired Bucyrus Fire Department