Minster Council Approves Fire Agreement, Pay Raises, and Business Expansion Incentives 

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Minster Village Council approved several measures during its most recent meeting, including a mutual aid fire contract, employee pay increases, and an enterprise zone agreement supporting local business expansion.

Village Administrator Don Harrod said council gave a third and final reading to an ordinance authorizing a mutual aid agreement with the Loramie Fire District. The agreement allows the Jackson Township Fire Department to provide coverage for properties in McLean Township located north of the north shore of Lake Loramie. Harrod noted Minster crews can reach the area faster than Fort Loramie firefighters. Under the agreement, the Jackson Township Fire Department will receive $29,950 for the year.

Council also approved a resolution designating Minster Bank as the village’s depository for public funds. The designation, required every 5 years by state law, covers the village’s savings and checking accounts.

Council suspended and adopted an ordinance amending the village’s salary administration plan, granting a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for all full-time village employees. Harrod said the ordinance is approved annually at the end of the year.

In economic development action, council approved an enterprise zone agreement with FABCOR, a local business in the village’s industrial park. The company plans a 44,000-square-foot building addition valued at more than $3 million. The agreement provides a 10-year tax abatement, with 60% abatement for the first 5 years and 30% for the remaining 5 years. The agreement must still be approved by county commissioners and the state of Ohio.

Council also adopted year-end appropriation adjustments to balance the village budget and approved interim appropriations for 2026. The interim budget, set at $9,108,500, will fund village operations for the first few months of the year until the full 2026 budget is finalized.