Council adopts tax-rate certification for 2027 budget process

Bellbrook City Council voted unanimously on July 13 to adopt Resolution 2026-R-21, accepting the amounts and rates determined by the county Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies to be certified to the county auditor. City Manager Rob explained that the county did not require a formal tax budget this year and reviewed how rollbacks and homestead adjustments were reported separately in the documents.

Rob said the resolution lets the city proceed with its internal budget process for 2027, pointing to estimated fund balances and noting small changes to inside and outside millage estimates driven by recent state law and auditor choices. "The tax budget is not an appropriations budget," he said, and emphasized the item establishes an estimate for property-tax revenue while the city proceeds to set appropriations. The motion to adopt passed on a roll-call vote with Councilmembers Ashley, Cyphers, Greenwood, Havens, Wright and Mayor Schweller voting yes.

The council discussed the timing of county revaluation and its impact on 2027 values (collected in 2028); staff said settlements lag taxable-year collections and budgets must rely on estimates until settlements arrive. The council will continue the detailed appropriation process following this certification.