Commission approves notices to exceed or remain revenue-neutral for 2026 budgets

Miami County commissioners authorized the chair to sign a series of property-tax notices tied to the 2026 budget. Staff asked the commission to sign a notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the county budget; staff said doing so creates a new high-water mark of 36.755 mills that the county cannot exceed after the notice is filed, though the board may lower it later during budget deliberations. Lucas Mellinger, assistant county administrator, presented the items and answered questions. The commission also authorized the chair to sign a notice to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for Miami County Fire District No. 1 (mill levy to remain at 3.337), a notice for Fire District No. 2 (mill levy to remain at 4.763), and notices to remain revenue-neutral for Bucyrus and Hillsdale lights and sirens. Commissioners discussed budget constraints; one commissioner said he would vote for the motion despite concerns and a desire to trim the budget further. All votes on these items were unanimous.