Community

Ohio County Budget Staying Flat For 2026-27

WHEELING - Ohio County's budget will be just under $25 million for fiscal year 2026-27 - remaining flat with spending in the current fiscal year despite increasing jail costs, according to County Administrator Randy Russell.

He reports Ohio County's budget for next year is at $24,940,000, up only slightly from the current budget of $24,749,400.

"That's less than a 1% increase," Russell said. "It's not anything significant."

The overall increase in the annual budget comes to $190,600, while the projected cost to house inmates during the coming year jumped $330,000.

Ohio County expects to pay jail bills of $1,350,000 in 2026-27, compared to $1,020,000 this year.

The state has raised its per diem cost per day to incarcerate an inmate, Russell has explained. In addition, Ohio County has needed to incarcerate more inmates in recent months.

Russell explained that last year, the county faced having less revenue to spend as the money it collects in property taxes - particularly those from businesses - was expected to decrease by $2 million in 2005-2006.

"So we haven't made that up at this point," he continued. "We were hoping our tax situation would get back to where we were in 2024, and it did not. As a result, this is a relatively flat budget this year.

"We had asked all the department head managers to identify areas where they could cut their budgets. We were hoping to get a 10% decrease, but we came in relatively flat across the board."

Typically the largest expenditures each year in Ohio County's budget relate to funding of the sheriff's department and the prosecutor's office. Russell reports both agencies made significant cuts in their requests this year.

The sheriff's department, which had a budget of $4,148,000 for this year, submitted requests of $4,020,000 for 2026-2027.

"It's not much less, but it is certainly not more," Russell said. "They did a good job of cutting expenses."

The prosecutor's office, meanwhile, had a budget of $1,687,000 for 2025-2026. Next year, their expenditures are expected to be $1,583,000 as Prosecutor Shawn Turak and others will strive to reduce incarcerations and jail costs.

"That's anticipating we will be able to work it down some," Russell explained. "The feeling is, if someone should be in jail they should remain in jail. But if there is a program available for a non-violent offender, we will make that work."

The price of gasoline for county vehicles also is an unknown in the coming year and could impact the budget, he acknowledged.

"Law enforcement has to be on the road, and so does EMS (emergency services)," Russell said.

Russell suspects the county also will see another increase in the cost of employee benefits this year, perhaps by as much as 11%.

Because of this, Russell indicated there may have to be changes in the program that could include changes to the existing plan or switching carriers.

"Some things can't be avoided," he said.