Richland County commissioners met Thursday to take a series of routine votes and spend the bulk of the session on next year’s budget, identifying a remaining shortfall of $1,673,160.96 and flagging a mix of proposed cuts and revenue adjustments to close it.

Commissioner Tony Vero opened the meeting and led action on several procedural items: certifying the Nov. 18 record of proceedings, approving weekly transfers and requisitions, and accepting a $1,200 donation to Dayspring from the Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation. The board also approved three hires at Job and Family Services and authorized HVAC repairs for the county administration and Park buildings.

The board set a public hearing for Thursday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. to consider a petition to vacate a portion of Kent Drive in Mifflin Township and opened bids for the juvenile detention plumbing project; only one bid was publicly announced from Standard Plumbing & Heating and staff said they would review it for compliance with specifications.

The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to the 2026 budget. County administrators and staff said they would continue the office-by-office review process the board uses each year, making targeted reductions before considering only realistic revenue increases. "We are hopefully coming down the home stretch of renovations," Commissioner Tony Vero said in opening budget remarks, and later emphasized that the county should not "balance your way to a budget by trying to find ways to increase your revenue" without realistic justification.

Specific cost-saving options discussed included moving a proposed EMA vehicle purchase out of the general fund capital plan, trimming postage and other operating lines, and reducing noncontract autopsy expenses in the coroner’s budget. Staff and commissioners debated several postage funding scenarios — including proposals that translated to per‑unit postage funding figures discussed in the meeting — and noted that first‑class postage has increased roughly 7% year over year, a factor in setting next year’s appropriation.

Commissioners also reviewed court-related requests. The domestic relations court asked that the general fund pay 100% of an assignment clerk salary ($45,760); commissioners said the mediation fund (reported in the meeting as holding roughly $263,000) traditionally supports such costs and signaled willingness to continue a shared (approximately 50/50) approach pending additional justification.

On coroner funding, board members discussed a proposed increase in autopsy/noncontract services compared with recent actuals. Commissioners expressed caution about cutting services essential to public safety but explored lowering the appropriation to a staff-recommended target range to produce savings.

The county’s IT and cybersecurity requirements also came up in the context of budget pressure. Commissioners discussed state-mandated cybersecurity measures including multi-factor authentication and monthly training, and some members expressed frustration with tightened password and Duo procedures while acknowledging the state requirement.

The board closed the public portion of the meeting with staff reporting a remaining gap of $1,673,160.96 to close before passage of a full 2026 budget. Commissioners agreed to continue the office-by-office review and to return with more refined adjustments and any realistic revenue options. The meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to certify Nov. 18 record and approve requisitions — approved.
- Weekly transfers and appropriations (auditor’s $20,000 transfer pulled for later review) — approved.
- Approve Land Bank conference-room AV purchase (new Logitech system to support additional microphones) — approved (capital funds).
- Set public hearing on vacating portion of Kent Drive for Dec. 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. — approved.
- Approve hires at Job and Family Services (three positions) — approved.
- Accept $1,200 donation from the Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation to Dayspring — approved.
- Approve HVAC repairs from Control Concepts of Ohio for administration and Park buildings — approved.
- Motion to enter executive session to discuss public-employee compensation — approved (held as noted).
- Juvenile detention plumbing bid opening — one bid announced (Standard Plumbing & Heating); to be reviewed by staff.

What’s next

Staff will complete the office-by-office budget review, return with recommended cuts and any verified revenue increases, and prepare materials ahead of future commissioner sessions. The public hearing on Kent Drive is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.