Vermilion City Council adopts 2026 tax budget after public hearing

The Vermilion City Council on May 5 approved the city's 2026 tax budget and moved to certify the document to the Erie County budget commission following a public hearing. The council vote carried; the budget will be filed with the county as required.

At the council meeting Finance Director Amy Hendricks presented the tax budget as a planning document and explained its role: "The purpose of the tax budget is not to grant a spending authority, but it's to illustrate, and demonstrate the need for the taxes expressed to the county budget commission," she said, describing publication and review dates and the timetable used to prepare estimates.

Hendricks said the budget uses projected unencumbered cash balances and estimated 2026 revenues, and that assumptions include a 3.5% salary increase (current collective bargaining agreements expire Dec. 31, 2025) and an average 4% increase across other expense categories. She also said real estate tax estimates reflect the collection year 2025 figures provided by the Erie County Auditor's Office.

During the public hearing several residents spoke. A resident who identified himself as Omar, of the 3900 block of Butler Drive, questioned prior ordinances and urged the council to ensure road funding was not reduced; he said, "I would advocate that the entire amount of 600,000 could continue to go to the roads." Council members and staff noted the tax budget itself does not grant spending authority; any transfers or appropriations would be handled through separate ordinances.

The council approved the resolution to certify the tax budget to the county. The budget will be used in county-level review; the certification is a procedural step that does not by itself appropriate funds for city spending.

Council President John Gabriel opened and closed the public hearing before returning the meeting to the regular agenda.