BELLAIRE, Ohio — River News has more details from Bellaire Village Council on its serious financial issues.
A special council meeting Wednesday laid bare a cascade of financial and administrative failures plaguing the Village of Bellaire, as Mayor Robert Dodrill addressed residents for the first time about serious fiscal problems being investigated by the State of Ohio Auditor’s Office.
Dodrill, who rescinded his resignation as mayor on Monday, said auditor’s officials had previously asked him not to publicly discuss the issues. While some matters remain under investigation and cannot yet be disclosed, he said he is committed to transparency once the probe is complete.
The meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd, with overflow residents left standing in the hallway.
You can watch the video of Wednesday’s meeting on the River News Facebook page here.
An exodus of personnel compounds Bellaire’s woes. Village fiscal officer Ginny Favede resigned last week and the position of village administrator remains vacant following the resignation of Scott Porter. Four other employees also recently quit.
Council posted a summary of other facts on its Facebook page Tuesday, April 14 outlining the scope of the problems. Among the most pressing concerns:
The village has received no monthly financial reports since January 1, leaving council members uninformed about current fund balances, expenses, and revenues — a direct violation of village ordinance. Expense reports have also been incomplete or absent during that same period.
Pension payments have gone missing. The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System reported in April that it had not received the January pension report or payment. The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund similarly reported a missing February payment and was unable to reach the fiscal officer, raising concerns about mounting late fees.
A contractor has halted work after going unpaid. The contractor is owed $483,000 in grant-funded expenses, but a payment process was never established with the grant provider, leaving the bills unprocessed.
A village sanitation truck sat disabled on the side of the road for four days because the fiscal office failed to issue a $200 purchase order to have it towed in for repairs.
Four employees have left the village since January, and numerous positions remain unfilled, including village administrator, water distribution coordinator, backhoe operator, two water treatment plant operators, and several labor positions. Seasonal workers for summer grass cutting and weed trimming have not yet been hired.
Council also held a brief, special meeting Thursday morning to approve the creation of a Water Distribution Coordinator/Backhoe Operator position. Dodrill said the position was created out of urgency, explaining the village currently lacks someone certified for the role. He said a former employee who left for another opportunity has expressed willingness to return.
Council also noted that the personnel committee was dissolved by the mayor’s office in violation of existing ordinances, and that the village administrator resigned after learning the mayor’s office was seeking his replacement — also cited as a procedural violation.
Additionally, the final appropriations report was found to contain significant errors, and no infrastructure plans beyond one EPA-related sewer project have been reported by the administration. Requests for a pothole repair plan have gone unanswered.
Council members noted that the audit currently underway covers the 2021-2022 fiscal period and does not affect or excuse the village’s obligations for the current 2026 fiscal year.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at the village municipal building at which the public will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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