Delivering an upbeat assessment of the municipality’s trajectory, Bedford Mayor Stan Koci and City Manager Michael Mallis led the 2026 State of the City Address, declaring the state of Bedford to be unequivocally “strong.”
Addressing community members and local leaders, city officials highlighted a stretch of significant financial stability, strategic capital investments, and new economic momentum following years marked by broader economic hurdles.
Financial Strength and Top-Tier Audits
Bedford’s fiscal position is standing on solid ground, capped by a 2025 general fund cash balance of $4 million alongside a protected $5.8 million reserve fund. Highlighting the city’s disciplined spending and robust economic health, Standard & Poor’s upgraded Bedford’s bond rating from double-A-minus to double-A.
The finance department’s rigorous transparency also brought home a pair of major accolades: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 35th consecutive year, and the Auditor of State Award with Distinction—an honor achieved by fewer than 5% of all public entities audited across Ohio.
Public Safety and Upgraded Equipment
Bedford’s police and fire departments remain fully staffed and heavily focused on proactive training and modern equipment. City leadership noted that strategic safety planning ensured that public events hosted in the commons throughout 2025 and 2026 concluded without a single reported incident. Looking ahead, the city plans to propose an expansion and technology upgrade for security cameras along the Rockside Road and Broadway corridors, while partnering with the Bedford school district to welcome a new School Resource Officer this fall.
On the firefighting front, the city has authorized over $3 million in fleet upgrades, headlined by a new $2.4 million ladder truck slated for delivery in the coming months. Officials also praised the swift emergency response and community resilience following the severe April 15th hail storm, which caused extensive local property damage but resulted in zero reported injuries.
Infrastructure and Capital Improvements
Operating its own water and wastewater utilities remains a defining point of pride and efficiency for Bedford. The city’s water loss metric holds strong at over 83% efficiency.
Infrastructure will take center stage later this fall when the administration presents a comprehensive capital improvement plan to city council. The package will fund a brand-new salt storage facility and prioritize the resurfacing of more than 20 local streets and parking lots. This builds on a series of major roadway wins, including a newly awarded $1.7 million ODOT grant to resurface State Route 8 (Northfield Road) targeted for fiscal year 2029, and a forward-looking, proactive agreement struck with the Ohio EPA to secure long-term wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Economic Development and the Hospital Site
Economic vitality continues to surge, driven heavily by major expansions such as Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ multi-million-dollar investment on Northfield Road, which is slated to bring hundreds of new jobs to the area.
Progress is also moving forward at the former Bedford Hospital site. Following a successful legal settlement that yielded $2.5 million for the city, the county land bank has completed comprehensive asbestos surveys. Demolition of the structures is scheduled for the winter months, while city leadership carefully reviews prospective public and private redevelopment proposals for the property.
Parks, Trails, and Community Life
Quality-of-life programs continue to expand, highlighted by a senior citizen club membership that has surged past 700 active participants. Community spaces are seeing continuous reinvestment, including playground upgrades at TA Park and Greenlawn Park.
Meanwhile, Bedford’s outdoor footprint is expanding through its multi-phase trail and park connectivity initiative. Phase 1 of the Commons expansion is complete, Phase 2 connecting to Viaduct Park is fully funded via state and regional grants, and initial planning is underway for Phase 3 to bridge the park system directly into the Metro Parks Trail network.
Concluded on a note of community partnership, city leaders emphasized that Bedford’s ongoing success is powered by active resident engagement, setting the stage for continued progress as the city updates its long-term master plan.
