Mold Remediation in North Canton, OH

NORTH CANTON ‒ Residents who use the city's electricity aggregation program will experience a near-doubling of electricity supply rates next month.

The rate will jump from 4.34 cents to 8.14 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to Benjamin Young, deputy director of administration. Then the rates will soar higher after that at least through December.

City Council in late February approved the city joining NOPEC or Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, a council of governments based in Solon made up then of about 250 cities, villages and townships. Alliance joined in 2017. Massillon and Paris Township also agreed to join.

After many Stark communities locked in low electricity supply rates in 2021, those rates are expiring this year amid soaring electricity rates fueled in part by more data centers to drive artificial intelligence and perform massive computing tasks.

"All communities are facing this," said Young.

The electricity supply rates are different from the rates charged by AEP and Ohio Edison for distribution and transmission, which are regulated by the PUCO.

Transition to higher electric rates in North Canton

The city's four-year electricity aggregation rate with Dynergy of 4.34 cents per kilowatt-hour expires this month, Young said.

Because NOPEC's term rates don't start until June of each year, North Canton electricity aggregation customers will be charged a rate of 8.14 cents per kilowatt-hour by AEP during the one-month gap between contracts. Residents will get a letter from AEP informing them of this rate.

Starting next week, North Canton aggregation customers will receive letters from NOPEC presenting them with a choice. They can opt for the standard rate from June until December of 8.929 cents per kilowatt-hour with the hope rates drop after December. They can lock in a 12-month rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour starting in June. Or they can lock in a 24-month rate of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, spending more in exchange for more certainty, Young said.

"You need to make the choice that's best for you and your household," said Young.

He said if the city had stuck with Dynergy, its rate would have jumped to 9.44 cents per kilowatt-hour.

City Director of Administration Catherine Farina said, "We will get a lot of phone calls. We know that."

She added that she's in talks with NOPEC on scheduling education sessions on the new rates for the public.

'In shock'

Council President Matthew Stroia, At-Large, said, "People are going to be in shock. They start running their air conditioner this summer, and they see the cost of electricity."

Those now in North Canton's electricity aggregation program who take no action will automatically get the variable AEP rate of 8.14 cents per kilowatt-hour in May and 8.929 cents per kilowatt hour from June to December. NOPEC will strike a new rate for the months after that.

Customers can opt out of North Canton's electricity aggregation program for free and go with AEP's variable rate by default or choose another supplier's offer on the Public Utility Commission of Ohio's Apples-to-Apples Comparison website. Many of those suppliers will offer a lower rate coupled with a monthly fee.

Farina said, "We have people come in and say, 'You can't make us do this.' We're not."

City residents enrolled in another plan will not be switched to the city's electricity aggregation program unless those residents fill out to the paperwork to opt in, said Young.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com.

NORTH CANTON – The North Canton City Schools Board of Education on Wednesday morning named Tim Walker to serve as the district's next superintendent.

Walker, the district treasurer, replaces Jeff Wendorf, who is set to retire June 30 after nearly a decade in the top role.

During its regular meeting, the board approved a three-year contract for Walker, who will assume the new job on July 1.

The board did not conduct an external search for Wendorf's successor, instead focusing on internal candidates. Officials believed they had strong internal candidates, board member Lindsey Wyckoff said. Officials declined to provide the names of the candidates.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tim into his new role as superintendent," board President Jessica Stroia said. "I'm confident that his leadership, vision and commitment to education will continue to build on the success of our district. I look forward to working together to support our students, staff and community as we move forward."

Walker will oversee around 900 employees, about 4,300 students and a $56 million annual budget. His base salary will be $145,000, with the remainder of the contract details still being negotiated.

Who is Tim Walker?

Walker joined the district in 2016 as athletic director after a 15-year stint as a college basketball coach, including seven seasons as Malone University's head coach and was an instructor in the College Experience and in the health and human performance department. He also spent a year with a medical device manufacturer.

He started his career in higher education at Trinity Christian College in Chicago where he was the men's basketball coach and held various academic and administrative positions, and served as chair of the physical education department.

He has served in various administrative roles in North Canton, including director of development and special projects, overseeing the $60 million construction of the district's primary and intermediate schools and athletic facility upgrades.

In January 2024, he became the district's treasurer when longtime treasurer Todd Tolson retired.

Walker and his wife of 26 years, Alison, made North Canton their home in 2010. His children attended North Canton schools, including Emily, a 2021 grad who is set to graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University this spring after finishing student teaching; Grant, a 2024 grad and freshman at Ohio State University; TJ, who will graduate from Hoover this spring; and eighth grader Callan.

Excited about stepping into the role as the district's top administrator, Walker said it was never his goal to become the superintendent in North Canton.

"I just take each opportunity as it comes," the 48-year-old said. "I've been fortunate to be surrounded by really good leaders and I have been given the opportunity to learn and grow. This is just another opportunity that presented itself and it is in a place that has a lot of great community support and great people on the leadership team and a great staff. It was a no-brainer."

A Cedarville native, Walker grew up surrounded by educators. His mother was a public school elementary teacher and his dad was a college professor.

Walker has a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in sports science. He has his State of Ohio treasurer license and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Akron.

School board member Robert Roden praised Walker's accomplishments.

"Tim has excelled in every task assigned at North Canton City Schools, but understands that he has achieved nothing alone," Roden said. "He believes that our district is fortunate to have high-quality leadership at all levels and looks forward to collaborating with them, our parents and the community to ensure the children we serve have what they need to succeed.”

What's next for Tim Walker at North Canton?

Walker will spend the next few weeks working with Wendorf and building a strong foundation for next school year, including finding his replacement as treasurer.

"Spring is a time when we solidify our teachers and administrators," he said. "The next 30 to 60 days, I will largely be working with Jeff and the rest of the team at the district office to make sure we have everything in place and everyone in the right seat on the bus for next year."

Walker knows he has big shoes to fill.

"Jeff Wendorf is the best in the business," he said. "He has been a phenomenal leader for the last nine years and a mentor to me. I've just tried to learn as much as I could over the last nine years. There is no vision I am going to be a Jeff Wendorf, but I think I can take the things I learned from Jeff and other leaders and continue to move the district forward."

There are a lot of exciting things happening in the district, Walker said, as construction of the district's new middle school is set to begin in June and a new welding lab will open in August.

As he begins his new role, he will continue to monitor state funding, adding that there will always be challenges in public education. Walker is confident that the leadership team they have in place will be able to handle the challenges presented to them.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity and excited for what's ahead. We have a great community and we feel very blessed as a family to be part of this community. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve and I am humbled to be in the role."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information when it's available.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

Editor's note: The Canton Repository is asking leaders in every Stark County township, village and city to share some highlights of what they have planned in 2025 for their communities. We will present these community highlights to you throughout the next few months.

NORTH CANTON – Residents in North Canton will see a May income tax request, drilling at the city-owned golf course and new businesses along Main Street this year.

Here is what’s planned for 2025 in the city of roughly 18,000 residents:

Income tax request on May election ballot

City residents will decide on the May 6 election ballot whether to increase the city’s income tax from 1.5% to 2%, starting Jan. 1.

If voters approve Issue 4, North Canton City Council has pledged through a resolution to not renew, replace or seek an alternative property tax for the city's existing 1-mill street property tax levy, 1.5-mill fire levy and 3.3-mill emergency medical services levy. Council also has pledged to not seek a separate levy to construct a consolidated fire and emergency medical services facility.

If voters approve Issue 4, every North Canton resident who earns income taxable by the city would pay an additional 0.5% of their income to North Canton no matter where they work. Nonresidents who work in North Canton would pay 0.5% of their income to North Canton. Social Security, pension and retirement plan distributions, interest, dividends, public assistance and certain income earned by a child under age 18 would be exempt.

The half-percent increase is expected to generate $3.7 million more annually and council has said it would spent as follows:

City Administrator Catherine Farina-Molnar said the allocations for the new station and street paving are fixed amounts. If the additional income tax would generate more money than expected, the extra revenue would go toward fire department operations first, then additional road paving.

A household with a municipal taxable income of $100,000 would pay an extra $500 a year for the 0.5% income tax. The owner of a $200,000 home in North Canton now pays $274 a year for the existing fire, EMS and street levies. That means a household with $100,000 in taxable income that owns a home valued at $200,000 would pay $226 a year – which is $48 less than they are paying now – if Issue 4 passes and the three existing levies are eliminated. Residents can calculate how much they would pay at northcantonohio.gov/543/Income-Tax-Proposal-Issue-4.

If Issue 4 fails, council plans to seek renewals or replacements of the 1.5-mill fire levy, 3.3-mill EMS levy and 1-mill street levy, as well as seek a new 1.5-mill levy to build the fire and EMS station.

If all four proposed levies passed, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $511 a year.

Well drilling, street repaving and waterline replacements ahead

A new 500-foot-deep water well is being drilled at the city-owned Arrowhead Golf Club & Event Center at 1500 Rogwin Circle SW to replace a city well near Dressler Road NW that city water consultants have said contains higher levels of salt contaminants.

The first phase of the $2 million project is expected to cost roughly $514,000 and is expected to be completed by March 31. The second phase will include building a pump station and adding waterlines.

A $1.2 million Ohio Public Works Commission grant, a $300,000 no-interest state public works commission loan and a $500,000 federal grant will help pay for the project.

Two sections of Main Street will be resurfaced this year: From 50^th Street SE to Knoll Street SE and from Rose Lane Street to Seventh Street.

The 1.38-mile project, which is expected to start in late spring, will include milling and resurfacing the roadway with new asphalt pavement and repairing or replacing catch basins, curbs, gutters, manholes, curb ramps and sidewalks along both sides of the street.

More than 96% of the nearly $1.3 million project will be paid through federal, state and county funds.

West Maple Street will be repaved between Lindy Lane Avenue and Main Street. The 0.52-mile project will include milling and resurfacing the roadway with new asphalt pavement, and repairing or replacing catch basins, curb and gutter, manholes and curb ramps along both sides of the street.

A federal highway grant will pay roughly 80% of the estimated $330,000 project, which is expected to begin by early fall.

Eight-inch diameter waterlines are being installed along Woodrow Street NW, from Pittsburg Avenue NW to Werstler Avenue NW; along Lois Avenue NW; and for an off-road water main between Janet Avenue NW and Browning Avenue NW. The new waterlines replace the 6-inch diameter pipes that were installed more than 55 years ago.

The $1.3 million project also includes replacing the city’s copper service lines for roughly 57 single-family homes in the area, replacing six fire hydrants, installing a new sidewalk, curb ramps and pavement along both sides of Woodrow Street NW between Pittsburg and Werstler avenues NW, and repaving Louis Avenue NW. The city also plans to replace the removed trees with decorative trees along both sides of Woodrow Street NW. The city will use roughly $858,000 in grants, $272,000 from its allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and $170,000 of city funds to pay for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of October.

New businesses coming to North Main Street

More businesses are set to break ground or open along North Main Street this year.

Kraus’ Pizza will open later this year in the former Bill and Mary’s Diner & Creative Catering.

J.B. Abraham, who co-owns Kraus’ Pizza and Loby’s Bar & Grille, said he is awaiting final permit approvals before beginning the $1 million in renovations at 1022 N. Main St. He said construction is expected to take roughly two months.

Abraham said he and his team considered a few different business ventures for the space but decided Kraus’ Pizza would be the best fit for the 3,134-square-foot building.

“I know there’s a lot of people in North Canton that would like a Kraus’ Pizza closer to them,” he said.

Abraham said the restaurant will carry an expanded menu and full bar, similar to the Kraus' Pizza on 30th Street NE in Plain Township. It will offer delivery, indoor seating, outdoor seating and an extended patio seating area on the southside of the building.

He anticipates hiring as many as 30 employees for the location, which he estimated would generate about a $1 million payroll.

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is building a 2,785-square-foot facility on the former post office property at 1212 N. Main St. Franchisee SPGR Enterprises plans to spend $2.4 million on the construction and new equipment for the restaurant, which will offer more food options compared to its current location at 1664 N. Main St. The new location is expected to open in June with 62 seats and roughly 50 employees.

A Domino's Pizza is expected to take over at least a portion of the former Commercial & Savings Bank at 1210 N. Main St.

Chick-fil-A is expected to begin construction this spring on its new restaurant near North Main Street and Stratavon Drive NW.

New kids book club, teen council and gecko at the library

The North Canton Public Library has started a book club for children from third grade to fifth grade. The Story Seekers Book Club will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on April 24 at the library at 185 N. Main St. to discuss "The Bookwanderers" by Anna James. Several copies of the book have been set aside in the children's department for those interested in participating. The deadline to register is April 17.

The library also has started a Teen Library Council where teens gather for games, activities and to help advise library staff on what materials and programs should be offered for their peers. Teens can also earn community service hours through participation. The council meets at 6 p.m. each Tuesday at the library.

Library visitors also can stop by to see the library’s new crested gecko, named Specs. He is roughly 8 months old and lives in the teen section.

North Canton reestablishes in-house building and code enforcement

North Canton has changed how it handles building permits and code enforcement this year.

The city has ended its contract with SAFEbuilt for building and permitting services after six years.

Instead, it has hired former SAFEbuilt employee Martin VanGundy IV as its new chief building official with a salary of $119,000 and has hired a permit technician, building inspector and code enforcement officer to handle permitting and licensing, building inspections, plan reviews and code compliance. They are located in City Hall at 145 N. Main St.

City leaders say the move will give North Canton greater oversight over building permits, inspections, reviews and code compliance while also saving thousands of dollars a year.

Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

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