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Council receives 2026 budget work session: staffing, IT modernization and CIP priorities
Summary
Council held a Finance work session on the 2026 appropriations ordinance. Mayor Begany outlined a partial budget (revenues delayed), departments presented line-item changes including a proposed IT modernization (~$600,000 RFP), a Parks capital equipment request, and a police dispatcher addition and drone-program costs.
Council's Finance and Administration work session on Nov. 24 focused on 2026 budget preparations and departmental overviews. Mayor Begany said revenue projections from the auditor's office were delayed but expected before the Dec. 8 meeting so council can finalize appropriations before the Dec. 15 adoption deadline.
Key departmental highlights presented to the committee:
- IT modernization: Begany and staff said the city expects to issue an RFP for financial software modernization with an estimated project figure of about $600,000; vendor selection and final contract decisions were projected for spring 2026.
- Parks & Recreation: Director Donna Baumann described modest increases in uniforms and recreational-supplies lines tied to union contracts and a larger capital-equipment request to replace two trucks and two large mowers.
- Police: Deputy Chief Bender reiterated the drone-first-responder proposal (grant-dependent) and a request to add a police dispatcher to bring staffing to roughly 10 dispatchers for improved 911 and lobby coverage; Bender said the department plans to request approximately $130,000 per year tied to the program in budget materials.
- Public works and service department: Director Dorman said water and sewer budgets will be directly affected by the Columbus rate changes and discussed staffing adjustments (adding a water superintendent), preventive maintenance investments (camera truck) and trash/recycling contract notes.
Mayor Begany flagged items not yet included in the draft: some development grants, CIP elements and a pending OPWC project already announced to council. City staff will return with revenue projections and final numbers at the Dec. 8 meeting and a final adoption is scheduled for Dec. 15.
