Richland County wastewater director outlines 2026 budget, Belleville transfer and proposed debt paydown

Amanda Miller, Richland County wastewater director, told the Richland County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 that she projects $3,980,000 in revenue for the wastewater fund in 2026, about 2.4% above the current-year estimate.

Miller said roughly 87% of the department’s budget is dedicated to treatment payments to contracted partners, naming Mansfield, Shelby and Belleville, and that an ongoing Belleville upgrade project is on track for transfer to the village in 2026. She said that when the village takes over service for about 30 customers in the 9771 corridor the county will likely pay more for treatment on those accounts than it collects from those customers now, which is one reason the county plans to hand the system to the village.

Miller projected the Belleville completion in April 2026 and told commissioners she budgeted conservatively—initially for 10 months after the handover—to avoid undercounting possible impacts. She also said relining work is complete and that wet wells were recently set; dewatering operations have stopped and pump station deliveries are expected shortly.

On staffing, Miller said the wastewater office has two vacancies: a Class II operator and a chief of maintenance. She said her longtime operator retired earlier in the year and that the market for licensed operators is tight in Ohio. Miller noted upcoming union negotiations (current contract ends Dec. 31) and said salary and longevity lines are included in her personal services schedule pending those discussions.

Separately, Miller described an unusual funding source she proposes to use to reduce debt service. She said the county received about $287,000 in assessment funds that were held in an assessment fund and transferred to wastewater in 2024. Miller proposed using a portion of those funds to pay down Outstanding Public Works Commission (OPWC) loans, which she said have a remaining balance just over $237,000; she noted the annual payment on that debt is about $25,000. Miller framed the paydown as a responsible use of one-time money to reduce ongoing debt service but said she wanted commissioner guidance before acting.

Commissioners asked Miller to check several administrative details in her personal service schedule, including that job titles and Munis entries match (billing clerk/manager, superintendent title and pay grade) and to correct an apparent formula error in the budget-summary ending-balance figure that showed a larger balance than her revenue/expenditure statement. Miller said she would fix the spreadsheet formulas and return with corrected pages.

Miller also said the department is budgeting for filling the two positions with full-time jobs and that job postings would appear on the county website after the department finishes reworking position descriptions. She said the department performs many pump rebuilds and maintenance in house and that staffing is critical to avoid contracting out work.

Ending: Miller said she will provide the commissioners with the requested clarifications and figures as staff finalize the 2026 budget.