LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners won’t have to cut as much to make the general fund budget requests fit within the 2026 projected general fund revenue after approving the 2026 tax budget Wednesday.

The projected income totals $26.9 million while the funding requests from the various offices dependent on the general fund total $27,143,232 for a difference of just $243,232. Last year, the difference was more than $3 million.

Commissioner Mike Halleck indicated during the meeting that the board won’t appropriate the entire $26.9 million.

“We purposely keep that a little bit lower,” he said, adding that they know some of the departments are going to need more. “We’re not naive. We’re well aware there are those that ask for more than we’ll give.”

Each year at this time, he explained the county auditor works with the commissioners and determines how much revenue is anticipated for the next year’s general fund. The various offices will submit their requests, which the commissioners will review, determine where to cut and then determine the appropriations for 2026 in late November or early December.

The tax budget, which must be turned in to the auditor’s office this month, is sometimes referred to as the wish list because it’s based on the budget requests and those numbers change when the commissioners approve the appropriations closer to the end of the year.

The estimate of general fund income for next year is $3.8 million higher than the estimate that was issued for 2025, which was $23,099,230. The bulk of that estimated increase is from increased estimates for the 1 percent sales tax and investment interest income, with an additional $1 million expected from the sales tax and an additional $2 million expected from investment interest income. Other increases are expected from the Local Government Fund, auditor fees, treasurer fees, common pleas court fees and other fees and revenue.

In talking about officeholders watching their budgets, Halleck used Common Pleas Court as an example and said in the last 10 years, they’ve only had 1% increases each year. The court is overseen by Judges Megan Bickerton and Scott Washam.

Halleck said the commissioners will cut some departments by more and then appropriate more on an as needed basis.

“We give them an appropriate amount to conduct their business,” he said.

If warranted and needed, they’ll give them more.

“I’m thankful the sales tax passed,” Halleck said, admitting the conversation would have been drastically different if the 1 percent sales tax had failed again.

During the meeting, the commissioners held public hearings for the county Veterans Service Commission and the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District regarding their budget requests.

Debra Smith, executive director/service officer of the Columbiana County Veterans Service Commission, read from a three-page letter explaining the need for $1,267,300, which is a very small increase from the $1,234,600 requested last year for this year.

She said costs for training service officers have increased, citing the annual training conducted by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Services which is required to obtain and maintain accreditation. She said inflation has increased the need for financial assistance for veterans. She said they processed 190 applications for cash, food and utility assistance which is expected to increase. In 2023, the number of applications was 164.

For the transportation program, she said 861 veterans were transported. Last year that number was 780 veterans. She noted that as the VA increases access to community care, they now transport veterans not only to local VA facilities but to regional locations in Pittsburgh, Butler, Akron, Canton and Steubenville.

The volume of claims has increased due to changes in federal law which add new qualifying medical conditions related the burn pits, Camp LeJeune water contamination, presidential pardons improving discharge character, expanded access to VA care for Reserve and National Guard members and eligibility for veterans with toxic exposure to military service.

According to the numbers provided, there have been 394 new clients (first-time inquiries or access to benefits), 598 returning clients (no prior contact in recent years) and an average monthly caseload of 150 clients per service officer. The work of the service officers has returned retroactive payments of $3.7 million and monthly recurring benefits of $1.9 million received in the county for county veterans.

G. Roger Bacon, president of the county Veterans Service Commission, said the report speaks for itself. He said there are about 40 new veterans coming in every month. He also said one of the most senior service officers will retire later this year, with another one set to retire next year.

Commissioner Tim Ginter asked if a veteran has to be a permanent resident of the county to receive services at the Lisbon office, but Smith said only for financial assistance, saying they have served veterans from all over. He also asked about increasing suicide rates of veterans and whether they’re trained for that. Smith said they get a lot of training for that.

“We appreciate what you do,” Commissioner Roy Paparodis said, with Halleck thanking them for their service.

Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District Program Administrator Pete Conkle and supervisor Duane Nickell spoke briefly regarding their programs, sharing copies of the 2024 annual report, the summer newsletter and dues for an agricultural technician position they’re planning to fill, fully funded by a grant.

“We feel like we’re growing. The ag community appreciates what we’re doing,” Conkle said.

He shared some numbers reflecting direct payments to county producers from the United States Department of Agriculture, with $1.18 million paid out from the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program for 37 applications approved and $1,876,456 paid out from the USDA/Farm Service Agency Emergency Commodity Assistance Program with 236 applications approved to aid in crop losses. The social media outreach by SWCD has also increased.

“We just want these programs to continue and possibly expand,” Conkle said.

Nickell said with the larger social media outreach, that brings more people coming in and they have a small staff. For the grant to cover a new agricultural technician position, the state is requesting more participation by the SWCD supervisors.

The budget request for SWCD totaled $80,000.

In other business, commissioners gave permission to hunt on the county’s County Home Road, Lisbon property to Breann and Christian Barnes and Christina and Glenn Warner.

The commissioners were able to hold their meeting with the lights on after the generator clicked on when the power went out for a short time. Lisbon Mayor Pete Wilson said parts of Lisbon had power and parts did not, but they learned from Ohio Edison that the issue involved a tree on a power line and would be fixed by noon. Most of the power was back on way before that.

The next meeting of county commissioners will be 9 a.m. July 16 at the downtown courthouse in Lisbon.

mgreier@mojonews.com