Aurora City Council Approves $20 Million Bond for Geauga Lake Improvement Project

The Aurora City Council met on Monday, December 15, 2025, with Council President George C. Horvat calling the meeting to order at 6:26 p.m. All council members were present except John Seitz.Key Legislation PassedOrdinance 2025-162 was the highlight of the evening, with Council unanimously approving the issuance and sale of up to $20,000,000 in bonds to finance Phase 1A of Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. The funds will cover construction, reconstruction, furnishing, equipping, and other capital improvements for the transformative park project.Related to the Geauga Lake project, Council also approved:Ordinance 2025-175: A $529,520 change order with MKSK, Inc. for additional design work including a new entrance location and two new maintenance/utility building structuresOrdinance 2025-176: Accepted Mars Electric's bid of $251,829.67 for electrical supplies at Aurora ParkMunicipal Fee UpdatesCouncil passed several ordinances updating municipal fees to take effect before year end:Ordinance 2025-170: Amendments to sewer utilization permits and chargesOrdinance 2025-171: Updates to permit feesOrdinance 2025-177: Aurora Cemetery charges and feesBudget TransferOrdinance 2025-172 appropriated $6,500,000 from the General Fund, with $500,000 going to the Stormwater Capital Fund and $6,000,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund.Parks ImprovementOrdinance 2025-178 approved Grade Line, Inc.'s quote of $48,111.75 to install water and sewer utilities at the prefabricated restroom site at Paddock River Preserve.Business DevelopmentRick MacDonald of Lynk Packaging, located at 1250 Page Road, addressed Council regarding Ordinance 2025-198, requesting approval of a tax abatement to support his company's expansion. MacDonald noted that construction costs are now 2.5 times higher than in 2016 when he built his last facility.Council President Horvat thanked MacDonald for his continued commitment to Aurora.Mayor's ReportMayor Ann Womer Benjamin announced several community events:Holiday Lights Tour began December 12Snowman Contest is ongoing with photos due by February 28The Mayor recognized the Aurora Chamber of Commerce's Person of the Year, Katie Trook, and Business of the Year, V Financial Partners, presenting both with proclamations and Keys to the City.Board ReappointmentsCouncil confirmed numerous mayoral appointments and reappointments to various city boards including the Architectural Board of Review, Audit Committee, Board of Building Code Appeals, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Landmark Commission.The next Council meeting will be held on January 13, 2026.Editor's Note: This article is based on unofficial meeting minutes that have not yet been approved by City Council. The minutes are subject to revision and official approval at a future council meeting.