Granville mayor unveils 2025–26 tentative budget with 2.50% levy increase; public hearing set for April 7

Mayor Paul Labas presented the Granville Village tentative budget for 2025–26 at the March 3 board meeting, saying the plan includes a 2.50% increase in the property tax levy and modest rate adjustments to the village’s utilities. "The Tentative Budget provided for a 2.50% levy increase, as well as increases of $15/household for Water Rents, and $10/Household in Sewer Rents," Labas said.

Labas told the board that higher health insurance rates, increased retirement costs, rising utility expenses and broad inflation were the primary drivers behind the proposed increases, and he emphasized that "all Village services will be maintained through the Tentative Budget." Copies of the tentative budget are available at the back of the meeting room and have been posted to the village website. The mayor said the document will remain static until a public hearing on the budget, which is scheduled for April 7.

The proposed rent increases will affect each household billed for village water and sewer services; the tentative budget document and the public hearing will be the next opportunities for residents to review specific line items and ask questions of department heads. The board did not take a vote on the tentative budget at the March 3 meeting; next steps are the advertised public hearing and subsequent board consideration.