Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Over the next month Steubenville City Council members will hear department heads talk about their spending needs and wants for 2027.
The first of three budget committee meetings kicks off at 6 p.m. today, with additional sessions scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. Council will get the proposed budget on Dec. 1, and they're expected to vote on it two weeks after that.
City Manager Mike Johnson said Monday it's shaping up to be a challenging year, money-wise, pointing out the city's needs "are greater than its financial resources, which will require the city to prioritize the needs."
The budget process is an opportunity for council to "review the city's proposed budget, departmental funding needs, and financial priorities for the upcoming fiscal year."
But Johnson said there are unknowns -- big ones -- that will impact the decision making: Health care and income tax revenue.
"Employee healthcare costs, including prescription drug costs, are a significant variable in projecting the city's personnel and operating expenses," he said, but they likely won't know what the 2027 price tag will be until November.
"Preliminary healthcare information looks promising, but healthcare costs normally increase towards the end of the fiscal year," he said.
The other major unknown is Steubenville's 2027 income tax revenue projections, which "affect the city's available revenue and overall budget position."
"Through August 31, income tax revenue to date for 2026 was slightly behind compared to the same time last year, although income tax revenue for August 2026 was higher than August 2025 which is promising if that trend continues," he pointed out.
Johnson said, though, he's eager to get the process started, pointing out the budget sessions are an opportunity for city officials and department representatives "to review these and other financial considerations, discuss projected revenues and expenditures, and address priorities for the coming fiscal year."
Tonight's session will focus on the mayor, city manager, law department, civil service, council, finance department, information technology, utility billing, fire, EMS, community development, building, planning and police.
The Oct. 6 meeting will cover municipal court, maintenance and repair, electric, sanitation, parks and recreation, with the Oct. 20 session focused on engineering, street projects, the water and sewer departments.
"The budget sessions will provide council with the opportunity to interact with and ask department heads questions, as well as provide their input on the city's priorities," Johnson said.