STEUBENVILLE — With 2025 winding down, city officials are already looking ahead to the new budget year — and what they can expect on both sides of the ledger.

“We’re going to do what we can to fund as (many) of the budget requests as possible,” Finance Director Dave Lewis said. “Right now, we’re taking time to meet with each department to review budget needs with council. (But) we’ll have a clearer picture of how tight the budget will be by late November.”

So far, none of the department heads have requested a significant budget increase, and that’s not expected to change when council hears from the last three — police, water and sewer — today, beginning at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

“Overall, the city is facing flat income tax revenue, decreasing interest income due to rate cuts and lower account balances following payouts for major capital projects such as the city building renovation (the older portion of the building), the Belleview Pool improvements and various water and wastewater projects,” Lewis said. “At the same time, costs continue to rise while revenues remain steady or declined.”

Lewis said they still don’t know what to expect in terms of health care costs for 2026. “Since the city is self-funded, we budget based on estimated claims and expect updated figures within about two weeks,” he said.

All of that figures into the final budget document that will be brought to council for a vote. Lewis said it will be presented as emergency legislation “to ensure the most current information is included.”

“We plan to present the budget to council on Dec. 2,” he said. “Council would then sunshine the budget on Dec. 9 and vote on its adoption on Dec. 16.

He pointed out last year’s budget was balanced, “but only by leaving five positions un-budgeted — three in the street department and two in the police department.”

“As we finalize the budget and make cuts if needed to keep the city operating within its means, it’s important that we have council’s priorities,” he said.