Newton Falls council adopts 2026 operating budget and approves related ordinances

The Newton Falls Village Council voted unanimously to adopt the annual operating budget for 2026 and approved several routine measures on the evenings agenda.

Council members passed Ordinance 2025-53, which establishes the villages 2026 appropriations, and Ordinance 2025-55, authorizing a transfer of funds; both measures were approved by voice vote recorded as 4-0. The council also approved Resolution 12-2025, certifying the cost of weed and grass removal to the Trumbull County fiscal officer for collection, and adopted Ordinance 2025-58 to authorize the city manager to enter contracts for chemicals needed by the Newton Falls water plant for calendar year 2026.

Jamie, speaking from the city managers office, told council that the villages new SSI accounting and billing system remains on schedule and that implementation is planned for mid-2026. "Implementation is still on schedule, but it will be midyear of 2026," Jamie said, noting weekly training sessions for staff on the new system.

Council amended and then adopted the minutes from the Nov. 5 meeting after correcting a typographical error in section 12; that amendment and the minutes as amended were both approved 4-0.

During the public comment period, a resident asked when the public could obtain a copy of the budget; council members confirmed the budget is a public record and was included in the meeting packet and minutes. There was no motion or formal action on the questions raised about utility assets during this item.

The meeting recessed into executive session at the end of the agenda after a council motion was seconded and passed.