Columbiana council adopts 2026 tax budget, certifies levies to county auditors

The Columbiana City Council on July 15 held a public hearing and adopted the city’s 2026 tax budget, then passed emergency resolutions authorizing tax levies and certifying them to the Columbiana and Mahoning county auditors. The council voted to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and to forward the certified amounts to both county auditors.

Council members held a public hearing at 7:15 p.m. on the draft 2026 tax budget. Evan, a finance staff member who summarized the budget, said the estimate was conservative and that he included potential costs for design and possible construction of a new city hall. “I kind of budgeted that in just just to be safe in case we need it,” Evan said during the hearing. He told the council revenue and expense estimates are largely flat compared with the current year and that savings are expected in the police line because of an upcoming retirement. Evan also said the city will need to consider the EMS levy renewal timing next year and that he planned to contact the county auditor for renewal-replacement estimates.

The council then voted to adopt the 2026 tax budget. The body also passed two emergency resolutions: Resolution No. 25-R-669, accepting amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing tax levies for Columbiana County, and Resolution No. 25-R-670 doing the same for Mahoning County. Both resolutions were read and approved by roll call.

Why it matters: adopting the tax budget and certifying levies lets the city finalize revenue expectations and begin the formal process of collecting property taxes through the county auditors. Council discussion emphasized conservative revenue estimates and flagged an upcoming decision on the EMS levy renewal.

Budget details and next steps: Evan said the city is watching the water fund and expects to contact the county auditor about the EMS levy next year to determine whether a renewal or replacement should be pursued. The council directed staff to follow up with county offices to develop timing and estimate options.

The council approved the budget and levies by roll call; the motions carried and the measures were certified to the county auditors. No public speakers registered objections during the hearing.

The council may receive further budget-related details as staff completes year-end projections and as the city decides how to proceed on the EMS levy renewal.