By Paula Pyzik Scott

On Monday July, 14 Bluffton Council held its annual budget public hearing. Fiscal Officer Kevin Nickel presented the 2026 appropriations summary which shows a total of $13.5M in expenses and $12.9M in revenue.

Nickel noted items with the highest budgeted increases are Payroll 4% and General Expenses 5%. Other spending lines are either flat or lower than those percentages.

Nickel discussed that some $60K may need to be transferred into the water fund to insure that the program breaks even, based on increasing supply and chemicals costs. 

The largest project planned for 2026 is the replacement of 8” water lines under I-75, which has an estimated cost of $680K (borrowing an estimated 85%). 

Council approved sending the 2026 budget to the Allen County auditor by the July 20 deadline. 

The attached 14-page packet is the 2026 appropriations summary and 2026 debt service items provided at the meeting.