LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Allen County Commissioners have approved an amendment to bring the county’s 2026 budget online after operating under 2025 figures since the start of the year.
County elected officials and department heads reviewed the adjusted budget during a meeting Tuesday morning. The delay in finalizing the 2026 budget was due to ongoing contractual negotiations earlier this year.
The amended budget totals $38.1 million, an increase of approximately $1.5 million from the previous year. Officials said the increase reflects rising expenses, including utilities, maintenance and contractual obligations. The updated spending plan also provides salary increases for general fund non-contractual employees.
Allen County Commissioner Cory Noonan said staffing remains a top priority during the budgeting process.
“Every time we begin doing the budget process, you know, there’s things that take a priority, and that is staff,” Noonan said. “Then also you have to look at the mandated items that we have to take care of. You look at utility costs, you look at maintenance costs, you look at contractual [expenses], so all that goes into the budget process as we’re bringing that information in from all the offices and how that works into the estimated dollars that are coming in.”
The county’s primary revenue source is the 7.25% sales tax. That total is made up of Ohio’s 5.75% state sales tax combined with the county’s 1.5% permissive sales tax.
Commissioners said the revised budget accounts for both projected revenues and increased operational costs while maintaining required services for residents.
