Miami County commissioners on Thursday tentatively finalized several elements of the county's preliminary 2026 budget, keeping a substantial road-and-bridge funding increase that pushes the county's mill levy to roughly 36.05 and approving a new lead-dispatch classification estimated at $16,480 yearly.

The preliminary decisions came during a budget study session where Lucas Mellinger, assistant county administrator, presented a budget worksheet that included increases for road work and personnel items. Mellinger summarized the packet and keyed the commission to the county's projected mill levy: "that's kinda where we're at," he said while introducing the budget cut sheet.

Why this matters: the commission's choices on road funding and wages directly affect the county mill levy and the tax bill for homeowners. Commissioners were shown an example that a $100,000 house could see the county portion of its bill rise by about $38 if the levy moves from roughly 34.77 to 36.50, illustrating how relatively small mill-levy changes translate to household impacts.

Most important facts first: commissioners agreed to leave a proposed health-department cut undecided pending further staff discussion; they kept road and bridge asphalt funding at the level printed in the packet (discussed as "7.50" in the meeting materials), and they approved establishment of a dispatch lead classification and associated pay that would cost the county about $16,480. The commission discussed but did not finally set a wage increase; several members expressed support for a 3% across-the-board raise while some favored 2.5%.

Details and discussion: Mellinger walked the commission through valuation and mill-levy calculations supplied by the county clerk and appraiser, showing average reappraisal increases and how those feed the levy math. He demonstrated an example: using the packet numbers, a house worth $100,000 under the proposed levy would see a county tax increase of approximately $38.36 compared with last year. Commissioners debated whether to trim road funding or restore other items, and staff ran hypothetical permutations: pulling $200,000 from asphalt and $200,000 from another line would save roughly $2 per $100,000 of home value, Mellinger said.

On personnel items, the commission agreed to create a new classification for a lead dispatcher; the item was described as a grade increase for those assigned lead responsibilities and carries a total estimated annual cost of $16,480. The group discussed alternative investments requested by the sheriff's officeincluding field training officer (FTO) stipends and an additional jailerand reached consensus to fund only the dispatch lead positions this year while deferring a decision on FTO stipends and an extra jailer.

Commissioners also discussed a 3% proposed wage increase. One commissioner noted that a 2.5% raise would reduce pressure on the mill levy, while another said "if you're gonna give an increase, now's the time to do it." No formal vote on a final percentage was recorded in the meeting.

The commission scheduled follow-up steps: staff will reconvene with department heads, Mellinger will provide detailed worksheets, and the group will refine the levy numbers next week before formal budget certification.

The discussion closed with the commission taking a short break and moving on to the scheduled 11 a.m. study session.