Columbiana council gives first reading to ordinance proposing 1-cent sales tax increase

The Columbiana City Council held a first reading of an ordinance to add one cent to the city sales tax, increasing the city portion from 4¢ to 5¢ on the dollar and raising the total local sales tax to 10¢ on the dollar.

Mayor David Mitchell said the change was discussed during the council’s budget work sessions and included as an assumption in the fiscal year 2026 budget. He described the ordinance as lengthy because it updates the city’s general taxes agreement and lists many items subject to sales tax.

The ordinance would amend Ordinance 10-15-O-7 to add the extra cent to the city sales tax. Mitchell said the change affects only the city sales-tax rate; other excise and vehicle-related taxes in the general-tax agreement are unchanged. He told council members he did not intend to ask for suspension of the rules and said the ordinance will come back for a second reading so residents can review the full text online and comment.

Council members did not vote on final adoption at the meeting. Mitchell said the ordinance and related materials will be posted on the city website before the next meeting so constituents can review them and bring questions to the second reading.

Why it matters: city leaders said the increase was included in the draft FY2026 budget as a revenue assumption. A one-cent city sales-tax rise would increase the local portion of sales tax collected at retail, affecting consumers and the budget outlook if approved.

What’s next: the ordinance received its first reading and will be published with the meeting packet; the council scheduled a second reading and public comment in a future meeting before any final vote.