Council approves 2026 operating budget

New Philadelphia City Council approved a $42.9 million operating budget for 2026 on Monday, using around $2.9 million in carryover funds from 2025 to balance it.

The budget had to be approved by March 31.

Councilman Steve Rippeth, chairman of the Finance Committee, said crafting a budget was a difficult process.

“It was and it is, and that’s what we’re here to do is to work together to make tough choices, and we’ve got more tough choices ahead of us, but I believe this body can work through the issues that we have to,” he said.

“I do full heartedly believe that we have to take a look at the way we’re doing business, but obviously we have to look at where our money’s going and be good stewards for the citizens of New Philadelphia. I have to do that before I ever come here and say, we need more tax money.”

Projected revenue for 2026 is around $40 million.

At a previous council meeting, Rippeth said that New Philadelphia’s tax revenue is not down for 2026, but it is not growing at the rate that expenses are. In addition, in 2025, the city approved pay raises for the police, fire, service union and non-bargaining employees. Auditor Heather Denham has said the raises could put New Philadelphia in a fiscal bind.

The budget does include funds to hire two new firefighters and one new police officer. Currently, New Philadelphia has five openings for firefighters and two for police officers.

Safety Director Kevin Milligan said about $900,000 had to be cut from the budget of the city’s safety forces, which could have an impact on operations in terms of increased response times and ability to cover certain calls.

He noted that the police department has seen a 28% increase in calls over the last three years while down two officers.

“The police department has been working short for at least three years,” Milligan told council. “Obviously with a 28% increase and being short, you have a weary and tired police department as they begin to not only manage a very stressful job but do it short-staffed. It adds additional stress to them.”

Councilman Kris Kreinbihl recommended that council begin work on the 2027 budget in April and May to start discussing options.

“The street department and the safety forces are vital to our city, and I’ve brought up before that we just keep limping along, limping along, and it’s time to do something so that we’re not worried about buying a $30,000 painter for the street department,” he said.

Also, council heard a presentation from the Yes for New Philadelphia Committee and representatives from New Philadelphia City Schools about a 1.5% earned income tax the district has on the primary ballot in May.

Money raised by the income tax would help fund construction of two new buildings on a 77-acre tract on state Route 39 east of the city. The school district will pay $35,714 per acre for the property, for a total cost of $2.75 million. The sale is contingent upon passage of the 1.5% income tax.

New Philadelphia is slated to receive $80 million from the state to help pay for the project. The district would be responsible for the remaining $89 million. The total cost of the project is $169.56 million.

Superintendent Amy Wentworth noted that the average age of the district’s buildings is 80 years old.

She added that pensions and Social Security payments would not be taxed if the issue is approved by voters. And if it passes, the district will reduce property taxes by 0.5 mills because the income tax would raise more money than is needed to construct the buildings.

Currently, more than 200 school districts in Ohio are collecting income taxes.

“We all say we want our kids and grandkids to come back here after they graduate to raise their families here and to invest in our community, but why would they?” asked Yes for New Philadelphia Committee member Michele Milburn.

“Have you seen our neighboring school districts — Dover, Tusky Valley, Claymont, Strasburg, Sandy Valley? They all have modern beautiful schools, schools their communities are so proud of. And then there’s us. We are the county seat and yet we are last in line when it comes to investing in our schools.”

Mayor Joel Day noted in his report to council that the windstorm March 13 damaged the roof on the barbecue pit at Tuscora Park, and Service Director Ron McAbier said that 70 trees were brought down. Of those trees, 45 have been removed so far.

Day said he is hoping that Gov. Mike DeWine declares Tuscarawas County eligible for reimbursement of cleanup and recovery costs.