GOSHEN TOWNSHIP — The board of trustees approved Christmas bonuses for township employees in its meeting Tuesday.

The board voted unanimously to approve the annual purchase of gift cards for township employees as a Christmas bonus. However, this year those employees will enjoy a bump in their bonus.

Trustee Teresa Stratton suggested that with costs rising across the board the township should purchase $75 gift cards for the bonuses rather than the $50 cards purchased in years past. Board of Trustees Chair Shawn Mesler agreed, noting that the prior $50 gift cards don’t buy as much as they used to.

Other personnel matters approved included approval of the resignation of officer Trevor Hovanec effective Nov. 20, and the promotion of Russell Beatty III to full-time officer. Assistant Police Chief Lt. Ryan McBride said that Hovanec had accepted a position with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, and that Beatty’s promotion would fill the vacancy left by his departure.

The trustees also approved a resolution to re-allocate $3,000 in the Gas Tax Fund from the “other expenses” line item to the “personnel services” line item. Fiscal Officer Michele Barratt said the re-allocation was necessary to cover the costs of insurance for two unanticipated employees. Other financial matters approved included a routine resolution to approve a temporary budget to ensure the continuity of township services until the official 2026 budget can be approved.

During his report Trustee Shawn Mesler said that the township’s annual health insurance premium increase for 2026 would be 3.99%, and that while it was still an increase that it was a relatively small one. Stratton echoed Mesler’s comments, noting that many municipalities were seeing premium increases closer to 7% in 2026.

“Anyone who does anything with healthcare knows that 3.99% isn’t that big of an increase,” said Mesler.

The board of trustees will meet next at 6 p.m. Jan 13 for its year-end meeting, which will be followed immediately by the board’s annual reorganizational meeting.