Findlay City Council adopts $42 million 2026 budget after debate over staffing and transparency
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Summary
After extended debate about staffing levels and budget transparency, Findlay City Council voted to adopt a roughly $42 million 2026 appropriations ordinance. An amendment to delay hiring an HR position and cut $86,250 failed; the main ordinance passed under suspended rules.
Findlay City Council voted on Jan. 6 to adopt its 2026 appropriations ordinance, approving about $42 million for city operations after extended discussion about staffing, transparency and how the council reviews budgets.
The council considered Ordinance 2026-001 under suspended rules so the administration could adopt appropriations, transfers and emergency measures for the fiscal year. Councilman Danny DeLong proposed an amendment to delay filling a planned human-resources position and reduce the HR line by $86,250. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the council subsequently approved the full ordinance by the two-thirds majority required after suspending the rules.
Why it matters: Council members raised concerns about how the budget is presented and whether members have detail sufficient to exercise oversight. Councilwoman Kensinger said the process made it harder to be a responsible steward of taxpayer funds and flagged public-safety staffing, saying, “I can't foresee in the future ever approving a budget that we don't add more firefighters to our city.” Councilman Phillips criticized the level of detail available to the body, saying, “We're essentially asked to approve a $42,000,000 budget that we don't know a lot about.” Those concerns framed debate over whether to amend the budget immediately or use the new finance committee to scrutinize line items going forward.
What happened in the meeting: The amendment offered by DeLong to reduce HR spending by $86,250 (intended to delay hiring until the second quarter) was seconded and called to a roll-call vote. The presiding officer recorded two votes in favor and multiple opposed; the chair announced the amendment failed. After that outcome, the primary motion to adopt Ordinance 2026-001 was put to a roll call under suspended rules and carried by the required two-thirds majority. The chair announced the motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.
Votes and next steps: The failed amendment to reduce HR by $86,250 was recorded as having only two members voting in favor; the amendment therefore failed. The final adoption of the ordinance met the two-thirds threshold required after rules were suspended and was announced as carried. The administration said it will continue de-appropriating and adjusting line items during the year if revenues or expenditures materially differ from projections, and councilmembers said the new finance committee will review and reconcile 2025 results and monthly trend reports.
Context and details: Members voiced repeated requests for clearer, more usable budget documents and more frequent financial oversight. The mayor said the administration is open to improving presentation and committed to regular reports and trend tracking. Several members noted that some items on the 2026 budget reflect one-time expenses or reimbursements (for example, event or capital one-offs) and that revenues from grants and departmental returns can change the year-end balance. The deputy auditor advised that amendments must specify dollar amounts for the auditor’s office to process them; simply stating not to hire a position is procedurally insufficient.
The council’s adoption of the 2026 appropriation ordinance takes effect as recorded in council minutes; staff said they will continue working with departments and the finance committee on quarterly reviews and any necessary de-appropriations.
