New Philadelphia council discusses 2026 budget concerns

The city’s 2026 budget, which must be approved by March 31, was the main topic of discussion at Monday’s New Philadelphia council meeting.

In 2025, the city approved pay raises for the police, fire, service union and non-bargaining employees. However, Auditor Heather Denham said the raises could put New Philadelphia in a fiscal bind.

Councilman Steve Rippeth, chairman of council’s finance committee, said the city’s tax revenue is not down for 2026, but it is not growing at the rate that expenses are.

He added that city officials were advised to grant the pay raises. “What we were told by experts was, you better negotiate some raises because if you don’t, you’re going to arbitration, and it’ll probably cost you more.”

Rippeth was confident that New Philadelphia will still balance its budget this year. “We always find a way, and we’re going to tighten our belts and make it happen. We’re going to pave streets. We may not pave as many as we wanted to. We’ve got to divide our wants and our needs and just go with our needs.”

Councilman Kris Kreinbihl expressed his frustration with the budget process so far.

“I spoke last September or October, and I said this is going to be a very tough budget, and I challenged the administration and also council to come up with ideas to potentially cut expenses,” he said. “I haven’t heard a single one coming from anybody in administration.”

He noted that the police and fire departments are already down seven people. “We’re asking Ron (Service Director Ron McAbier) to cut. He can’t even pave a road. Six months ago, I asked for this, and nothing has happened.

“Where we’re right now, this is insane.”

Councilman Dan Lanzer suggested that the city revisit its ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. Ratio Cannabis on West High Avenue is the only dispensary in operation in Tuscarawas County, but it is located in an area that is part of Goshen Township.

He noted that the dispensary’s first tax payment to the township was $256,000.

“I’ve talked to the police chief and different ones, and there hasn’t been any issues,” Lanzer said. “In fact, I think if it didn’t say dispensary on there, people wouldn’t know it was a dispensary.

“I think it’s here to stay, and I’m all about new revenue for the city.”

Council also authorized Mayor Joel Day to begin the process to annex city owned property in Goshen Township into the city. The 0.734 acres are part of an abandoned railroad bed on the east side of New Philadelphia that was formerly a rail line connecting the city with Roswell.

The land is going to be used for construction of a new hiking and biking trail to connect the two communities.

In addition, the property is near a 77-acre tract of land on state Route 39 that New Philadelphia City Schools has agreed to purchase for construction of new schools. The purchase is contingent upon passage of a 1.5% income tax by the voters May 5 to pay for construction of the buildings.

The annexation of the rail bed would make it easier for the school property to be annexed into New Philadelphia because property must be contiguous to the city to do so.

Councilman Tom Simmelink said the city needs land for growth.

McAbier said the rail bed would be perfect for laying water and sewer lines to any potential development east of New Philadelphia, including the proposed schools.

He agreed with Simmelink that the annexation would help future growth of the city. “Let’s just be real. This is a public meeting. I don’t think that’s going to pass (the income tax issue), so we’re doing it for really nothing for the school. We’re doing it for future expansion of the city for housing.”