STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County Commissioners admitted Thursday they may have to resort to extreme measures to get department heads to grasp the realities of skyrocketing costs, shrinking federal and state funding and dwindling revenues.

During a two-hour work session after Thursday’s business meeting, Auditor E.J. Conn told commissioners only about 38% of department heads had rethought and resubmitted their budget requests — this despite being warned that rapidly-rising expenditures, particularly in health care, will burn through the county’s cash carryover. Conn said they’d hoped to trim about $1.5 million from the county’s final budget for 2026 but the seven departments that submitted revised spending plans were collectively able to shave only about a half-million dollars from the bottom line.

“There has to be definite cost-cutting measures that take place. We need to get back to the business of funding things that are absolutely necessary,” Conn told commissioners. “I don’t want to see the majority of our carryover used up in one year. I’d rather phase it in — start with a decent-sized (reduction) this year…get it closer to what we’re bringing in in revenues.”

Conn and commissioners say out-of-control health care costs are a big part of the problem. The county’s total premium for 2026 is about $1.4 million higher than the 2025 bill. Premiums for the sheriff’s department alone jumped a half-million dollars.

Commissioners said townships and smaller counties, like Jefferson, are also grappling with unexpected fallout from the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, suggesting the administration “needs to see some of this themselves, they need to see firsthand what goes on and how it’s affecting smaller communities and counties, villages and townships.”

Conn said ideally, they’ll get the budget in the $23.5 million range.

“It may not be possible but we’ve got to try our darndest,” he said, also pointing out that last year they spent $21.438 million.

“We don’t want it to get to the point next year where we end the year with very little carryover,” Conn added. “We want to get to the point where we can maintain our carryover and still provide services. We just have to go back to basics, no extra expenses.”

Doing nothing, he said, would “just be kicking the can down the road.”

“If we don’t do something to send the message we’re going to have an even bigger problem next year,” Commissioner Tony Morelli agreed. “You either bring in more revenue or you cut. And as far as bringing in more revenue, if you have any ideas I’m open to it. We’re working very hard to do that, we’re trying to bring companies in, get some more revenue coming in.”

Commissioners, meanwhile, approved the America 250 committee’s recommendation that they form a subcommittee that can focus on making it a seven-day, countywide celebration, with different areas highlighted each day.

They’ve already planned a veteran cookout at Fort Friendship, concerts and exhibits honoring the county’s rich history, among other activities. They’re also hoping to have “shuttle sites” to help county residents get around.

“If other townships and villages want to host something, we’re open to it,” Steubenville said Mayor Ralph Petrella, a member of the committee. “We want the celebration to be countywide, it’s something very special.”

Commissioners also:

• Submitted letters of support for Tiltonsville Volunteer Fire Department’s effort to secure funding for a new fire station. Its current firehouse was built around 1948.

• Were notified that A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center has scheduled its annual “pinwheel planting” in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month for April 2 at 10 a.m.

• Signed letters of support for a Congressionally Directed Spending request for Phase 1 of the Amsterdam water project, pointing out the system “has experienced 73 breaks in the past three years, often leaving the village without water for days on end.”

Once independently operated, the county was asked to and agreed to take the Amsterdam water system over and is “unable to assume the financial burden of this vital project unless additional funding can be acquired,” commissioners said.

• Chose Quick Mow Inc. to provide mowing services this year. The company bid $38,992 for the contract.