MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—In Monday’s Marion City Council Finance Committee meeting, Mayor Bill Collins brought forward an amended budget for the year 2026, decreasing the proposed figure from over $19 million to $14,817,600.
This massive reduction arose after an assessment revealed that the city’s projected revenue for 2026 would be approximately $15,400,000 forcing Mayor Collins to request mandatory budget cuts of 10% across most city departments.
The revised budget included notable eliminations, such as the funding for the city’s economic development position, support for Downtown Marion Inc., and the subscription to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. Additionally, reductions were made to travel and training expenses for city staff.
Despite these financial challenges, Mayor Collins told the committee that no layoffs were currently planned.
Collins did acknowledge that staff reductions would occur due to retirements and vacancies that would not be filled.
Notably, some departments, including the city council and administration, did not achieve the 10% budget reduction.
The committee voted on a motion to forward the amended budget to the city council, which ultimately failed with a vote of 1-2.
Marion’s financial distress has been further complicated by a recent notification from the Auditor of State, declaring that the city of Marion has been placed in “Fiscal Caution.”
Marion County Now will continue to follow this development.