Finance director outlines 2025 budget; council advances appropriations and grant resolution

Columbiana’s finance director presented a condensed outline of the city’s 2025 budget on March 4, saying department capital needs were reviewed and many large projects are grant‑supported. Council advanced several appropriation and transfer ordinances on first reading and unanimously approved an emergency resolution authorizing submission of an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant application for the Columbiana‑Mahoning walking trail.

Kevin Smith, director of finance, told council he budgeted a 5% increase in income tax receipts for 2025, down from the 6% growth the city saw in 2024. Smith said the administration planned to use remaining American Rescue Plan Act money to support EMS staffing through the next levy cycle, and he identified one capital budget item — a columbarium at the city cemetery — budgeted at $2,028,579.

"I budgeted a 5% income or increase for income tax revenue. 2024 was 6%," Smith said during the presentation. He said most capital projects in 2025 are expected to be grant supported, and that the water fund will likely still require a transfer from the general fund despite an upcoming rate increase.

Manager and staff updates during the meeting noted ongoing work to close on the Cochrane Building purchase (staff said they expect emergency legislation at the March 18 council meeting and a hoped closing the week of April 21) and early negotiations on a potential tax‑increment financing (TIF) project for the former Route 7/14 truck stop property; municipal attorney Mark Hudson said the TIF work is preliminary and more detail will be available March 18.

"We have started working on a potential TIF project with the team...we're getting a little more detail on the type of TIF that we're going to do," Hudson said, adding that details are premature for public release.

On budget specifics, Smith said last year the city closed three small funds and created a County Line Road Assessment Fund; he noted the city anticipates closing three more near‑zero funds. He also said the EMS salaries and wages line includes ARP‑supported hours and that the pool and park operations continue to need city support. Council members pressed for details on the pool’s financial position and on the projected trajectory for water and sewer funds; Smith said sewer is improving and water remains dependent on transfers for the near term.

Legislative actions during the meeting included a unanimous council vote approving Ordinance 25‑O‑3278 (second reading) — a contract for fire protection services with Fairfield Township — and a unanimous emergency Resolution 25‑R‑662 authorizing the city manager to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails/Clean Ohio matching grant for the Columbiana‑Mahoning walking trail. Council also advanced on first reading appropriations and transfer ordinances, including Ordinance 25‑O‑3279 (2025 appropriations) and Ordinance 25‑O‑3280 (transfer of $3,800,000 from the income tax fund: $1,900,000 to the general fund and $1,900,000 to the capital improvement fund), with affirmative roll calls recorded.

Council members thanked staff for the budget work and asked for follow‑up detail on grant timelines, the proposed cemetery columbarium revenue estimate, and the plan for EMS funding after ARP funds are exhausted. City staff said they will bring emergency legislation for the Cochrane Building as planned on March 18 and that grant application paperwork will be submitted under the authority granted by the emergency resolution.