LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Allen County department heads and elected officials received an update on the status of the county’s 2026 budget during a meeting with county commissioners.
Commissioners typically provide a draft budget for departments to review before the start of the new year, but ongoing negotiations with the Allen County Sheriff’s Office union have delayed completion of the draft.
As a result, department heads were advised to begin the year by focusing on basic operational needs and to hold off on major purchases until the budget is finalized. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations, commissioners say Allen County remains in a strong financial position.
“We're in a good spot. Of course, county budget is no different than what personal budgets are. We've had an increase in health care, and we've had an increase in utilities and you name it. Like I said, the same as a personal budget. We have the same issues here, just on a much different level, but we're working through those," says Brian Winegardner, Allen County Commissioner.
Winegardner says once negotiations with the union are complete, commissioners will be able to move forward with passing the 2026 budget.
