Bellbrook councilman resigns due to ‘extremely discriminatory regulation,’ city says

BELLBROOK — A newly elected Bellbrook councilman’s resignation was accepted by council Monday night after resigning due to a law the city manager called “an extremely discriminatory regulation.”

Tim Taylor was elected by Bellbrook residents to fill one of three council seats in November.  He was the highest vote recipient among the field of candidates.

Bellbrook City Manager Melissa Dodd said Taylor is currently receiving a disability pension through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

Under Ohio law, “if a disability benefit recipient is restored to service by, or elected to an elective office with, an employer covered by this chapter, the recipient's disability benefit shall cease.”

Taylor addressed this law in his Jan. 28 resignation letter to Dodd.

“As it would adversely affect my disability pension to do otherwise, I regretfully tender my resignation from and renounce the position of Councilman for the City of Bellbrook, to which I was elected,” Taylor said.

Taylor had to leave the Dayton Fire Department under disability after having three back surgeries that prevented him from continuing to do the work.  He also is a Marine Corps. veteran.

“This is a huge loss,” Dodd said.  “I understand an appointment to a full time position having this applied but being unable to serve as an elected official is discriminatory at best.”

Dodd said Taylor was unaware of the law when he ran for office and only found out about it after he was sworn in.

“(He) was forced to choose between his pension or his elected office,” Dodd said.  “Such a loss for Bellbrook.”

Dodd said the city charter allows the city 60 days to fill the vacant seat.

The city will post the vacancy today and interested residents can apply.  Applicants will be interviewed by city council and they will vote to fill the vacancy, Dodd said.