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Hamilton Township adopts 2026 budget, repays Kroger TIF advance and reappropriates small line items
Summary
Trustees adopted a conservative 2026 budget that repays a $100,000 Kroger TIF advance to the general fund, reappropriates small line items across funds and earmarks ARPA funds for a ladder truck and Mounts Park phase 1; trustees also discussed state property-tax changes and park funding constraints.
Hamilton Township trustees voted to adopt the township’s 2026 annual budget and approved several related financial moves, including repaying a $100,000 advance from the Kroger tax-increment financing (TIF) fund to the general fund and targeted year-end reappropriations.
Staff told the board the Kroger TIF repayment was anticipated when the district was established in 2023 and that development in the district has produced the receipts needed to repay the general fund. “This is an action that was anticipated in plan in 2023,” staff said, adding that the project came in slightly under budget and the transfer completes the earlier advance.
The trustees also approved routine reappropriations to reconcile the year’s payroll and benefit lines and a handful of small spending increases, most of which staff described as under $10,000. Staff explained the reappropriations are standard year‑end housekeeping to move money from unencumbered portions of funds into lines that will be used before year-end.
On capital and reserves, township staff presented a conservative revenue plan and an updated fund-reserve exhibit showing prior-year actuals compared with budget. The presentation said no new police cruisers were requested for 2026 and that the township plans limited vehicle replacements for the fire department and two pickup trucks in public works.
Staff also confirmed use of remaining ARPA funds for capital projects: roughly one‑third of previously budgeted ARPA—about $1,000,000—had been allocated toward a replacement ladder truck, and remaining ARPA monies were earmarked for the Mounts Park phase‑1 remediation project. “The remaining ARPA funds will be spent in 2026 on that Mounts Park phase 1 project,” staff said.
Trustees discussed the broader revenue picture, including the difference between inside and outside millage and pending state-level property-tax reform that could shift more burdens to local governments. A staff member noted that safety levies for police and fire are outside millage and therefore do not rise significantly when property values are reappraised.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 25‑1119A: Transfer $100,000 from Kroger TIF fund to general fund — approved (recorded votes: trustees present voted yes). - Resolution 25‑1119B: Increase appropriations for police, fire/EMS levy, gasoline tax and general funds — approved. - Resolution 20255‑1119C: Adoption of the 2026 annual budget — approved.
The budget adoption completes the township’s routine year‑end budget actions and sets the fiscal plan for 2026. Staff said they will continue to monitor state legislation affecting property tax rules and will present county auditor analysis to the board when available.
