Plain City administrator previews 2026 budget: revenues trending above estimate, capital projects planned

Miss Lupton, Plain City’s village administrator, presented an overview of the draft 2026 budget and highlighted revenue and expense trends.

She reported the general fund is performing ahead of estimates, with income tax receipts running "4% over" the estimate and an example $129,000 figure cited. She also noted the park fund has benefited from campground revenues (about $273,000 year‑to‑date) and that personnel expenses are tracking at roughly 67% spent while the year is 78% complete. The presentation described proposed staffing adjustments — including budgeting for a code compliance officer for half of 2026 — and a proposed 3% merit increase tied to evaluations.

On capital needs, Lupton outlined planned work: continuing street paving projects (including funds set aside for repaving after reconstruction), a parks master plan and phase‑2 work for Bicentennial Park, the depot splash pad moving through engineering, and stormwater fund additions. She said police impact fees were already used this year to buy a tornado siren and that next year the village proposes using them for speed detection equipment.

Councilmembers asked for the full draft packet when it is finalized so they can review details; staff said the goal is to distribute the final budget document in the coming weeks and present ordinances for first reading in November.