Council advances 2026 appropriations; staff proposes stormwater fee increase and 1.5-mil fire levy

The Huron City Council on Dec. 9 moved Ordinance 2025-31 to a second reading and heard staff outline the proposed 2026 municipal budget, including a recommended change to stormwater fees and a separately proposed fire levy.

"The proposed 2026 municipal budget totals and appropriations of 53,900,000.0, a $1,100,000 reduction from the 2025 budget of of 55,000,000," Mr. Phillips told council during a second-reading overview. He said the reduction should not be interpreted as reduced services and attributed much of the savings to a change in the health care plan.

Council discussed the stormwater management fund in detail. Staff said the finance committee recommended increasing the stormwater fee from $5 per quarter to $5 per month to provide more reliable, ongoing revenue for maintenance work such as jetting lines, clearing ponds and replacing catch basins. Staff described the historic transfer of stormwater responsibility from the county, the limited revenue available under the current fee, and a targeted Phase 2 study estimated at about $100,000 to identify priority projects without producing an unmanageably large capital list.

Council also moved forward on Resolution 89-2025, which asks the Erie County auditor to certify the dollar amount and valuation to place an additional 1.5-mill fire levy before voters. Staff said an additional 1.5 mills would equate to about $52.50 per $100,000 of assessed value and defended choosing an additional levy rather than replacing an existing levy so current revenue remains in place if voters reject the new levy.

City staff scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget for Dec. 23 before the regular council meeting. No final appropriations vote was taken on Dec. 9; council advanced the ordinance for further consideration and public comment.