Tallmadge council reviews proposed 2026 budget, highlights major road and water projects and schedules amendment votes

Tallmadge City Council members on Nov. 5 reviewed the administration's proposed 2026 budget, focusing on infrastructure projects, fund balances and several amendment requests the council plans to introduce at next Thursday's meeting.

Mayor Mary Kilway opened the session, saying, "We're kicking off the most important work that we do all year, reviewing and adopting the city's budget." Director of Administration Joe Ignazito presented the detailed packet attached to Ordinance 2025-87 and thanked department leaders for their work: "It wouldn't be this budget wouldn't be possible without that teamwork."

The administration highlighted three large capital projects: the Howe Road improvement (budgeted at about $4,190,000), the East Avenue improvement (about $3,290,000) and a Southwest Avenue waterline replacement (about $1,000,000). Staff said the Southwest waterline and other multi-year water replacements are being coordinated with road repairs and that prior action in Ordinance 2025-53 phases in water rate increases through 2028 to help restore fund compliance.

Staff reported the city's overall financial position as healthy. Five of six major funds met or exceeded the minimum fund balance…