Жители Пики требуют разъяснений по выплатам сотрудникам в размере 31 тыс. долларов, связанным с проектом Meta

The city of Piqua paid eight employees a combined $31,000 in one-time bonuses in December, including payments that a city memo linked to work on a major economic development project expected to attract as much as $1.2 billion in private investment. The payments included a $10,000 bonus to Economic Development Director Chris Schmiesing and $3,000 each to seven other employees, according to payroll records discussed during the Tuesday, Sept. 1, Piqua City Commission meeting. Resident Alisha Lange questioned commissioners about the payments and asked whether they were connected to the controversial Meta data center project approved by the city last year. “I’ve filed a public records request for the ordinance, the appropriation, the bonus forms and any developer agreements referring to staff compensation,” Lange said. “I would really like to have these questions answered publicly.” Lange is part of Save Piqua, a resident-led group opposing the city’s approved Meta data center project. Dayton Daily News submitted a similar request for information from the city of Piqua this week, which is pending. Lange shared records during Tuesday’s meeting, which showed the bonus payments were made Dec. 26, 2025, to: - Schmiesing, $10,000 - Then-Police Chief Rick Byron, $3,000 - Law Director Jessica Stiltner, $3,000 - Then-Community Services Dirctor Kyle Hinkelman, $3,000 - Power System Director RJ Monnier, $3,000 - Assistant City Manager Amy Welker, $3,000 - Utilities Director Kevin Krejny, $3,000 - Finance Director Jerald O’Brien, $3,000 Byron is now serving as Piqua’s interim city manager. Hinkelman left the city this year to become West Milton’s village manager. A Dec. 12, 2025, memo from then-City Manager Paul Oberdorfer recommended recognizing department directors who “successfully navigated and negotiated the Project.” The memo does not name the project. However, it describes it as a significant 2025 economic development initiative that supports Piqua’s goal of expanding its information-technology sector and revitalizing vacant properties. “Through collaboration among the department directors, the project has secured significant grant funding for utility extensions and roadway improvements, potentially attracting $1.2 billion in private investment,” the memo states. “The project is transformative for future generations in the city and for building community wealth.” That description appears to align with the large data center project planned for Piqua’s Interstate 75 Exit 78 Business and Industrial Park, Lange suggested during her public comment. Piqua commissioners approved legislation facilitating the Meta project in November 2025. The memo said Oberdorfer would use a provision of the city’s bonus policy allowing employees to receive additional compensation for “exemplary work on a special project.” It recommended one-time $3,000 payments, although most of the recipients’ names were redacted in the copy provided. The separate payroll records identify the employees who received the payments. The documents provided do not explain a reason for Schmiesing’s larger $10,000 payment. The city’s bonus policy says exemplary performance that “well exceeds the usual expectations for the position” may be recognized with one-time compensation outside an employee’s regular salary. Eligible reasons include exemplary work on a special project, achieving a significant departmental or project goal, developing an initiative that improves city operations or saves money, or consistently performing well beyond normal expectations. The policy says bonuses are discretionary and dependent on the availability of funds. The employing department or division is generally responsible for funding the payment, although exceptions for special projects may be approved by the department and city manager. Bonuses may range from $500 to 7% of an employee’s annual salary, up to a maximum of $10,000, according to the policy. Payments are limited to once per year and must receive final approval from the city manager in consultation with the human resources director. During the meeting, Lange asked whether the commission had adopted an ordinance authorizing the bonus program, which city funds and appropriation lines were used, and whether the finance director certified the payments. She also asked whether any bonuses, incentives, stipends or reimbursements were funded in whole or in part by the developer or its affiliates rather than through appropriated city funds. City officials did not provide answers to most of those questions during the public comment exchange.