Mantua council adopts 2026–27 budget, approves 4% COLA and staff pay adjustments

The Mantua Town Council on Tuesday adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 final budget and authorized related transfers and personnel adjustments, after a presentation and public hearing.

Ron Wallace, who led the budget presentation, told councilors the revenue estimates were conservative and based on the certified tax rate, which he said generated about $356,000 this year; he added roughly $6,000 as a buffer and that he was "very comfortable with those numbers." Wallace reviewed anticipated revenues from building permits and impact fees tied to about 11 projected new houses and noted grant and rental possibilities, including a cemetery grant and a potential Verizon lease that could affect radio/TV-site rental income.

The budget package approved by the council includes a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for town employees (Wallace said the figure had been proposed and was feasible), and specific salary or status adjustments discussed during the hearing for Eric Waters, Ron Wallace and Marcus Abel. Wallace described the exemption-status pay consideration as a 12% calculation that factors overtime differently for the two employees under review.

Councilors also authorized use of restricted impact-fee and other funds to support parks, Main Street projects and cemetery work. Wallace said the town has a general fund balance (about $1.3 million in his presentation) and that some transfers from restricted accounts will be used to meet matching requirements and complete planned capital work. He noted that vehicle and ARPA-related amounts will be recorded as journal entries where appropriate rather than requiring additional cash draws.

On utilities, Wallace told the council the water fund may require a rate adjustment; he said water rates had not been changed in recent years and presented draft proposed rates for future council consideration, but the rate change itself was not adopted at this meeting. The council also reviewed the sewer fund, where it decided not to raise sewer rates this cycle, and discussed the garbage contract, which contains a 5% annual adjustment clause that has pressured net income for that fund.

Following the presentation the council opened a public hearing (no mailed or in-person comments were reported), and a councilor moved to approve "the things we've discussed tonight." The motion carried after the Chair called for the vote; the Chair declared, "The motion passes," and no nays were recorded on the audio transcript. The council referenced Resolution 2026-618 as the adopting document for the FY 2026–27 budget.

The council also noted carryover items such as a planned $20,000 fire engine purchase and other capital projects. Wallace said the water tank asset will be recognized and impact fees and connection fees are expected to offset some capital spending; he cautioned that net income projections for some enterprise funds are tighter than prior years.

The council adjourned after completing the budget action. Any future formal changes to the budget (for example, to reflect a water-rate change) will require an amended budget or separate action at a future meeting.