MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion County Commissioner Kevin Davidson moved to “set the record straight” regarding the county’s fiscal health, explicitly denying rumors that staff layoffs are on the table for 2026.
Despite a projected budget deficit of approximately $4.5 million, Davidson confirmed during a recent interview that the county intends to utilize its budget stabilization fund—commonly referred to as a “rainy day fund”—to cover the shortfall.
“Despite what you may have heard or read, we are not considering layoffs at this point,” Davidson said, addressing local concerns sparked by recent media reports.
The Commissioner noted that while the $4.5 million gap is significant, it is not unusual for the initial budget to exceed revenue. To manage the deficit, the Board of Commissioners requested a 3% across-the-board cut from all elected department heads during the fall budget hearings. Davidson was the lone “no” vote on the final budget approval, citing a desire for even deeper spending cuts.
Davidson also clarified the limits of the Commissioners’ authority, noting that individual elected officials—not the Board of Commissioners—hold the power to hire or fire staff within their respective departments.
“We are not considering any kind of sales tax increase,” Davidson added, noting that the county must remain “good stewards” of tax dollars as they navigate economic uncertainty and potential shifts in state property tax structures.
To ensure fiscal accountability, Davidson is implementing new quarterly budget reviews with all county department heads starting this year.