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South Russell Council adopts 2026 tax budget amid concern about possible state property-tax changes
Summary
The South Russell Village Council adopted its proposed 2026 tax budget after a finance committee presentation that outlined revenues and expenses across funds. Council members expressed concern about state-level talk of eliminating property taxes and asked staff to monitor potential impacts.
South Russell Village Council on Monday adopted its 2026 tax budget after the finance committee presented estimates for the village’s major funds.
The finance committee reported estimated 2026 general fund revenues of $1,513,361 and expenses of $1,655,849; safety fund revenues of $2,054,243 and expenses of $2,100,524; operating fund revenues of $569,287 and expenses of $609,330; road and bridge fund revenues of $243,541 and expenses of $59,500; special revenue fund revenues of $3,632,653 and expenses of $3,399,395; capital project fund revenues of $2,931,975 and expenses of $2,640,711; and fiduciary fund revenues and expenses of $120,000.
The council voted to adopt the tax budget following a motion during the meeting; the vote passed. The tax hearing portion of the meeting concluded immediately before the budget motion.
Council members raised concerns during discussion about proposals being discussed in the state legislature to eliminate property taxes. One council member said legislators had floated the idea and warned that, if implemented without a clear replacement funding mechanism, a removal of local property taxation could leave villages and townships “bankrupt,” because many local governments rely heavily on property tax revenue. The council was advised that school funding and levy structures would complicate any such change and that any ballot-driven reform could move quickly if proponents secure signatures.
Finance staff said they will monitor state legislative activity and directed council members to the Ohio Municipal League materials the village had circulated urging municipalities to contact their representatives. Council members also noted that the village’s property-tax collections come from multiple funds and that a sudden change would be difficult to absorb without a statewide replacement revenue source.
The move to adopt the 2026 tax budget passed by voice vote. No amendments were recorded during the adoption.
Council members scheduled follow-up discussion at the finance committee to track state developments and to prepare for the county budget commission review and certification process due in July.
