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Mt. Healthy council holds first readings on pay, 2026 budget and a proposed $21 trash rate
Summary
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Mt. Healthy City Council held first readings of three ordinances including proposed 2026 pay adjustments (mostly 3% with select 10% increases), the 2026 appropriations showing a roughly $400,000 gap staff says carryover funds will cover, and a trash-rate ordinance that would set a $21/month residential charge starting March 1 under the Rumpke contract.
The Mt. Healthy City Council on Dec. 2 held first readings on three ordinances that would set 2026 pay levels, formalize the city's 2026 appropriations and update residential trash rates under the city's contract with Rumpke Incorporated.
City Manager Bauer told council that Ordinance 25-2065, which proposes compensation adjustments for elected and appointed officials and some staff, generally applies a 3% increase, with "a handful in here that got 10 percents" to elevate certain positions. Council agreed to a first reading on the ordinance without further action.
On Ordinance 25-2066, the proposed 2026 appropriations, Bauer summarized the budget's major items: two new full-time firefighters, two new police officers, a midsize truck for public works and several road projects. A finance-committee representative noted the draft includes "about a $400,000 deficit," which Bauer and staff said could be covered with carryover funds if revenues meet or exceed projections. Council proceeded with a first reading.
The council also reviewed Ordinance 25-2069, which would set the monthly rate charged to residential units for collection, transportation and disposal under the Rumpke contract. Bauer said that, if the ordinance is adopted, Greater Cincinnati Water Works would bill the charge on the water bill and retain a 5% fee for that service. He said, "So effective March 1 ... it'd be the $21 a month," and described a schedule of modest annual increases thereafter. Council agreed to a first reading and did not take a final vote.
None of the three ordinances received a final vote at the meeting; all were introduced for first reading and will return to council for later consideration per the standard local ordinance process. The council approved unrelated procedural minutes during the meeting and moved on to other agenda items.
What happens next: Each ordinance remains at first reading; council will schedule subsequent readings or additional action consistent with the city's legislative process, and staff said they will circulate more detailed budget tabs and rate schedules on request.
