MARTINS FERRY — Service Director Andy Sutak discussed streaming council meetings online Wednesday.

He told council during its regular meeting that he plans to finalize a contract with Forefront Technology Inc. that will set up streaming services for council meetings. Chris Baker, technology consultant for the city, will get the wiring set up before Forefront begins the installation process.

Sutak said he plans to meet with a representative from Forefront Technology next week to sign the contract.

At the last council meeting, President of Council Kristine Davis said ForeFront Technology estimated it could cost up to $4,445. She said there will be a link on the city’s website that will allow anyone to watch the livestreams.

Sutak said the city’s liability insurance will require the city to have cyber protection. He said he will look into it and will collaborate with Police Chief Jerry Murphy to see if the police department needs any cybersecurity services.

In other news, the meeting began with the swearing-in of the mayor and city officials for 2024.

Solicitor Paul Stecker swore in Mayor John Davies first, and then Davies swore in members of council, Stecker, Davis and Auditor Jack Regis. Ben Neiman, who is set to take Councilman Thomas Burns’ seat in January, also attended the meeting and was sworn in.

Councilman Spencer Echemann was just sworn in on Nov. 15, so he did not need to take the oath again.

Councilwoman Suzanne Armstrong was absent from the meeting and will have to be sworn in at another time.

Regis said he is still working on the budget for 2024. He said that he plans to finish the budget by Dec. 21 so that he can get it to city leaders before the holidays.

Councilman Robert Hunker said the finance committee met Monday and noticed that EMS revenues are down. He said city officials will have to keep a close eye on it next year to make sure that the department has sufficient funding.

“What Jack (Regis) told us, it seems to be a slow return of payment from the insurance company on the billing side. So they bill the insurance company, and when they get the money it seems to be a little on the slow side,” Hunker explained.

He said the finance committee will look into the issue.

Murphy said the police department has been making some extra revenue by auctioning off items online through GovDeals Inc., a company that auctions off government property.

“Recently we had forfeited firearms that were listed on GovDeals.com. They were auctioned and sold for $2,025,” he said.

He said the department also auctioned off several more items for $3,078. Murphy said the department has made $11,008 this year from the auctions.

He said that more items are up for auction now. Murphy also plans to auction off several impounded vehicles in January.

Several members of council thanked Murphy and the police department for their hard work and cooperation with previous budget cuts.

Davies discussed the recent paving on Zane Highway completed by Cast and Baker.

“Another big obstacle we’ve been working on for three years, basically, Zane Highway is finally completed,” he said.

Davies explained that James White Construction paid to pave the lane that they had previously worked on. He said the city paid to pave the other side. Davies said that each side cost about $17,500.

He said Cast and Baker has been paid, and the project is complete.

Davis thanked the mayor for his work paving Zane Highway.

“It is a major, major difference,” she said.

Hunker also commended the mayor for his work.

“Everybody travels the highway,” he said.

Resident Richard Hord also thanked city officials for their work in getting Zane Highway paved.

Davies said all paving projects are completed for this year, and the city is ready for winter.

“We’re ready to roll,” he said.

Davies also discussed how the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is requiring the city to identify all of the lead waterlines in the city. He said the EPA gave the city a deadline of 10 years to make sure that the city does not have any lead pipes.

“We’re in good shape,” Davies said when discussing the deadline.

Council voted to cancel the regular council meeting scheduled for Dec. 20. Members hope to meet after Dec. 21 when the budget is finalized, but a time and date have not been set due to the holidays and scheduling conflicts.