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Harrison council adopts 2026 budget, approves utility fund advance and several administrative measures
Summary
The Harrison City Council on Dec. 2 approved the 2026 annual budget, authorized a $750,000 advance from the Wastewater Fund to the Water Fund for planned capital work, transferred a small city parcel to an adjacent owner, approved a union memorandum of understanding and passed several administrative items.
The Harrison City Council on Dec. 2 adopted its 2026 annual budget, authorized a $750,000 interfund advance to cover urgent water capital work and approved a package of routine administrative measures.
Council members voted to move $750,000 from the City Wastewater Fund to the City Water Fund to address capital needs identified for 2026, including media filtration work and well maintenance. The motion to authorize the advance was made (Lisonbee, JW) and passed by roll call. Councilmember Samuels, who spoke for the Finance Committee, said the transfer was intended to allow critical water work to proceed without immediately raising rates, with an expectation the wastewater fund would be reimbursed from the water fund over time.
The council also approved an ordinance transferring a small, triangular parcel at the corner of Cater Avenue and South Elm Street to the adjacent private owner. The mayor explained the city had owned the parcel for many years and that the neighboring owner had taken down trees and spent roughly $12,000 on cleanup; the council voted to convey the parcel to the neighbor.
On larger fiscal matters, the council adopted the 2026 appropriation ordinance. Councilmember Samuels summarized Finance Committee priorities: balancing ongoing operations with planned infrastructure projects, offsetting declines in property tax revenue with income tax revenue trends, and supporting staffing for public safety. Samuels said the fire department added about six positions (three funded by a safety grant) and the police department added one position with a possible additional hire in 2026. He also cited roughly $600,000 of planned costs tied to the water filtration and well maintenance projects.
Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the City of Harrison and the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc., covering the certified bargaining unit of police officers, and designated Cheryl Myers, Clerk of Council, to attend public records training on council’s behalf. The council also declined to set a hearing on a liquor license application for the Roost Bar and Grill at 105 Sycamore Street, deciding no hearing was required.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Nov. 18 meeting minutes: passed (Councilmember Abrams recorded an abstention). - Ordinance: $750,000 advance from Wastewater Fund to Water Fund (2026): passed by roll call. - Ordinance: transfer of excess property at Cater Ave & S. Elm St.: passed by roll call. - Ordinance: 2026 appropriations (annual budget): passed by roll call. - Memorandum of understanding with Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc.: approved by roll call. - Designation of Cheryl Myers to attend public records training: approved by roll call. - Liquor license for Roost Bar and Grill (set hearing?): council voted not to set a hearing.
The council’s next meeting is expected to include a final vote on a tentative TIF agreement related to Project D (property across from Kroger), which staff said is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 16. The meeting adjourned after routine reports and community announcements.
