By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The City of Bowling Green is wrapping up 2025 in a “stable financial position,” Mayor Mike Aspacher reported to city officials last week.
The city found itself in an unusual position this year, with income tax revenue lower than projected. https://bgindependentmedia.org/bg-financially-solid-but-income-tax-revenue-is-short-by-539000-so-far-this-year/
However, the beginning cash balance for 2025 was higher than forecasted, City Finance Director Dana Pinkert reported. So the city was able to maintain its fund balance thresholds and continued investments in infrastructure and capital projects.
There are no plans for any decrease in city services, with the city budget calling for $238 million in expenses in 2026, Pinkert said.
Passage of the income tax levy in November and the redistribution of income tax redistribution in the city will free up some funding that would typically go toward fire equipment.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said the city’s personnel expenses for next year make up 74% of the general fund expenses, which is a healthy percentage.
The city is creating two new positions next year – one a dispatcher and one a municipal court deputy clerk.
Also next year, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will be working on an update of its five-year master plan, Tretter said.
The annual appropriation ordinance will be introduced at City Council’s meeting on Dec. 1, with passage to be requested at the Dec. 15 meeting.
Following are some highlights of the city’s budget …
2025 budget review:
- Income tax receipts did not meet projections.
- Expenses will exceed revenues in the city’s general and several major funds.
- Beginning cash balances exceeded projections used for the 2025 budget.
- Continued investments made in infrastructure and capital projects.
2026 budget considerations:
- Funding to maintain existing levels of services.
- Fund balance projections.
- Implementation of non-bargaining wage plan year 1.
- Union contract provisions year 3.
- Insurance increases for employee health care and property/liability.
- Balancing on-going and forthcoming initiatives.
- Pressures from deferred maintenance on facilities and infrastructure, capital expenses.
- Debt service obligations.
- Income tax re-distribution.
- Income increase for safety services.
2026 general fund highlights:
- Two additional positions created: Dispatcher and Municipal Court deputy clerk.
- Enhancements to employee services.
- Continuation of extended housing program.
- Downtown facade program, which is new this year.
- Work order system for urban forester, which has proved to be very popular with residents.
- Transfer to payroll stabilization fund, which will help the city budget handle the next 27-paycheck year, which happens every 11 years.
- Parks and Recreation expenses, which will need general fund monies to help with maintenance costs and debt payment on Veterans Building in City Park.
- Continuing support for partner organizations and contracts.
Following are the streets and sidewalks projects in the budget:
Paving
- Buttonwood Avenue between West Wooster Street and Sand Ridge Road.
- Carr Avenue from South Main to South Summit Street.
- Ada Avenue between South Main and South Summit Street.
- Georgia Avenue from South Main to South Summit.
- South Prospect Street from Georgia Avenue to Napoleon Road.
Pedestrian hybrid beacon
- West Gypsy Lane Road at the Slippery Elm Trail.
- South Main Street, as part of the reconstruction project.
Shared use path
- Brim Road, connecting the high school to the community center and Cogan’s Crossing.
Sidewalk infill projects
- Conneaut Avenue.
- Wintergarden Avenue.
Sidewalk programs
- Sidewalk Commission mandatory 50/50 program, $125,000.
- Voluntary 50/50 program, $50,000.
- Sidewalk infill program, $50,000.
Design/plans
- North Main Street shared use path from Poe Road to Nims Road.
- Interstate 75 overpass signage.
- Crim Connectivity in the area of Crim Street and Third Street.
Safety and intersection studies
- West Wooster, from Wintergarden Road to Church Street.
- Wintergarden Road/Sand Ridge Road intersection.
- Sand Ridge Road/Gypsy Lane Road intersection.
- Rudolph Road/Gypsy Lane Road intersection.
Infrastructure debt
- I-75 roundabouts, final year 2047.
Upcoming projects
- Safe Routes to School, shared use path from Crim to Mercer in 2027.
- Brim Road Paving, from Poe to Bishop in 2028.
- Brim/Bishop roundabout construction in 2028.
- Dunbridge Road paving from U.S. 6 to Poe Road in 2028.
- Roundabout construction at Dunbridge-East Wooster in 2029.
- Safe Streets for All, shared use path on North Main Street from Poe to Nims in 2030.
Capital investments
- Community Center roof and HVAC maintenance.
- Public works garage roof and locker room remodel.
- Utility work machine and brush for new shared use paths.
- Municipal Court exterior restoration.
- Prosecutor’s Office carpet.
- Oak Grove Cemetery fence painting.
- Police Division in-car cameras and body worn cameras.
City Council goals for 2026
- Continue to focus on neighborhood revitalization efforts, including city audits of rental inspections.
- Update subdivision regulations.
- Continued emphasis on safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including on Poe Road and in the downtown.
- Emphasize commitment to the city’s sustainability values, including downtown recycling, renewable energy, reducing city’s energy use, switching over to more electric vehicles, installing more LED lighting, and looking into a solar project to replace the obsolete wind turbines.
- Address water quality and availability issues.
