City staff presented the first reading of the proposed 2026 appropriations ordinance and several companion budget ordinances, and the council later adopted a supplemental 2025 appropriation.

At first reading, finance staff summarized changes to the proposed fiscal 2026 budget: a reallocation of $50,000 to the skate park project; an increase of $959,771 for the passenger-rail platform to cover additional design and construction costs; and adjustments to reflect that some 2025 CDBG grant expenditures will occur in 2026. Staff said Miami University and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana regional council (OKI) have verbally committed additional cost-share amounts — Miami for roughly $653,000 and OKI for $209,618 — and staff are seeking written confirmation.

Heidi, the staff member presenting the budget, said the employee-benefit fund will increase by $160,594 with estimated revenue rising by $78,582 following health-insurance renewal meetings. Staff also noted a reduction to county-auditor fee estimates within the fire-levy fund for 2025 after the levy’s first-year fees proved lower than anticipated.

Council asked how the proposed budget advances council priorities in the city’s comprehensive plan and how the city will make the budget’s programmatic impacts legible to the public. Staff said the process begins at the council-staff retreat, continues with multi-month research and work sessions, and results in staff allocations and targeted operating support rather than always-direct line-item spending. “We ask councilors what do you want us to research and look at and build for the budget? And then we spend about six months doing that,” a city staff presenter said.

In separate ordinance readings, staff also presented ordinances that would authorize budgeted advances (temporary intra-fund advances pending reimbursements), budgeted transfers (operating support, capital transfers and debt-service payments), the 2026 fee schedule and a salaries ordinance that includes succession planning and a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for noncontract staff. The salaries ordinance lists staffing adjustments and a plan to provide certification and CDL training for service-department employees in advance of an anticipated wave of retirements.

Later in the meeting council adopted an ordinance amending the 2025 budget by supplemental appropriation. Staff clarified that even small amounts — for example, line items of $200 — must be included in legislative appropriations. The supplemental appropriation was adopted by roll-call vote with all present voting yes.

What happened next: The 2026 appropriations and companion ordinances were presented in first reading and will return at second reading for final action. The supplemental 2025 appropriation was adopted; staff will continue to seek written cost-share commitments from Miami and OKI for the passenger-rail platform project and will return to council with required second-reading ordinances for final 2026 adoption.