NEWTON FALLS — Village Council has approved a new contract with Jeff Limbian to be reappointed as part-time law director handling prosecutorial duties in Newton Falls Municipal Court.

Council voted 5-0 at a meeting Wednesday on Limbian’s contract effective Feb. 5 at an annual salary of $70,000.

Limbian was originally hired as law director in February 2024 and handled all law director administrative and prosecutorial duties himself.

Limbian has informed council that there is a substantial influx of demands upon the village’s law department requiring an amended agreement to be made to include part-time assistant law director to help fulfill the department’s responsibilities.

Council agreed an amended agreement is needed and also Wednesday approved an assistant law director position also to be paid $70,000 annually for 30 hours per week.

Limbian has said he will handle the municipal prosecutor role.

First Ward Councilman Brian Kropp said the workload in court has increased, noting the return of the village police department and other agencies that use the court.

He said having two people who focus on what they do well will help better serve the community.

“We need to have people in these positions,” Kropp said.

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said Limbian prosecutes two days per week at the court with increased case workload.

He said it would be hard to find a prosecutor for $70,000.

“I know the law director is a very busy person with the duties of the position.” Axiotis said.

Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said the positions need to be filled to protect the village, which warranted emergency passage by council.

Limbian said there have been more local cases from the police department which started up last July.

Stimpert said council has interviewed individuals for the part-time position with Samatha Ulrich, who has served as an assistant prosecutor in Portage County, offered the job.

Resident Julie Lemon voiced her objection to the position being split into two part-time jobs each paid $70,000.

She also said the two pieces of legislation did not need to be passed as emergencies. She said council passing by emergency is not following the village charter, which means the ordinances can be referendumed.

Lemon said past law directors for the village have been able to handle both duties.

AMERICA250

In other business, Kropp said planning and discussion should begin for America250 events and activities to be tied into the annual Newton Falls July 4 and fall festivals.

“We are celebrating America’s 250th and can have a significant event locally for the community and help the local businesses,” he said. “We want to start getting people energized and have local interest and involvement.”

Stimpert said information can be put out to the public to draw participation. She said she attended a county meeting last year in which several communities met to discuss plans for the 250th event for 2026.

Kropp said ideas can come from discussions and public interest and involvement. He said he would like to see the July 4 festival expanded to incorporate America250.

Stimpert said the local summer and fall events would involve the village and the schools.

ODOR AT NIGHT

Also, Axiotis said in recent nights he has noticed a foul sewer odor off First Street which is occurring more often in the evenings.

Axiotis said in recent weeks the odor has become more noticeable and is believed coming from the sewage treatment plant.

Village officials said they will look into the cause of the odor.