Officials break down $38.6M budget

PERKINS TWP. — Erie County commissioners just approved the local government's largest budget in its history. During a recent public meeting, the three sitting officeholders — Matt Old, Pat Shenigo and Steve Shoffner — supported a $38.6 million general fund, also called the everyday operating budget, for 2026. This tops prior high marks. Here's a look at what county officials actually spent in: • 2025, which totaled $36.5 million, down from the original budgeted amount of $37.5 million • 2024, which totaled $36.5 million, down from the original budgeted amount of $38.4 million While a higher-than-normal amount, lots of scrutiny went into this budget to maximize efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending, commissioners said. "We work every day to find ways to maintain and improve services at the best possible cost," Old said. Added Shenigo: "Our responsibility is to leave the county in a stronger financial condition than when we took office while continuing to deliver real value to our residents." Generalizing the general fund Largely backed by local taxpayers, the general fund account covers costs for some of Erie County's most important services, such as law enforcement, judicial and other operations overseen by elected officials. It also covers salaries for roughly 250 workers. Erie County's general fund also represents one large chunk of the local government's overall financial picture, which, historically, represents about 25% of Erie County's total overall budget. The larger account encompasses every single facet of county operations, helping out a wide range of people, especially: • The young, such as children services and juvenile court operations • The old, such as The Meadows at Osborn Park, Erie County's publicly run nursing home • Everyone else in between, such as public defender and prosecution services Why the increase? Scaling back on capital or larger-scale projects in prior years, in 2026, commissioners did earmark funds for some much-needed upgrades. This would include reserving enough funds to: • Purchase five new Chevy Tahoes for the sheriff's department for road patrol purposes • Upgrade security measures at county buildings • Finish a roofing project • Pursue equipment enhancements at the engineer's office Also in 2026, there's an extra pay period commissioners must account for: 27 instead of the normal 26. County employees receive pay every two weeks. The general fund primarily pays salaries of county employees so they can perform daily tasks, helping out residents on a day-to-day basis. "The extra pay period will cost the general fund about $850,000, but, because of good financial planning by the board of county commissioners, the cost will be covered by a compensated reserve fund," county administrator Hank Solowiej said. Created several years ago, officials squirreled away money in the past, deposited into this reserve fund, to cover an extra pay period. Additionally, this year's budget covers cost-of-living increases and a 10% uptick in health insurance costs. Looking at large-scale projects The general fund, at times, contributes money for bigger projects, which is primarily covered through Erie County's capital budget. This fund receives revenue through, among other sources, utility billing. This would include: • Completing a $21 million project to improve the Sawmill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which includes substantial capacity upgrades • Setting aside $2 million in sewer lining projects • Keeping up on replacing lead water pipes Surging sales tax Sales tax numbers remain stagnant but strong entering 2026, among the reasons commissioners felt confident to increase the general fund's budget this year. Commissioners collected a record $23 million in 2025 but had only budgeted for about $21.5 million in 2025. Sales tax represents the largest income source for Erie County's general fund, helping to cover services provided by local officials. "Visitors continue to flock to Erie County annually for the numerous tourist activities the county has to offer," Solowiej said. "Hotels, amusement parks and water parks were all extremely busy. In addition, Sports Force continues to attract a significant amount of visitors year-round for both indoor and outdoor sporting events." In Erie County, the sales tax rate equals 6.75%. It's among the lowest rates when compared to Ohio's 88 counties. Receiving a larger-than-expected share makes the jobs of commissioners, who determine how these funds get spent, much easier. But they pointed to the economy, stressing how they're cautious about exceeding figures from 2025. "While we have seen record-breaking sales tax numbers, we know this won't last," said Old citing the U.S. economy's uncertainty and some experts predicting significant downturns. "I will work to ensure this money gets spent on one-time capital projects and does not go to growing the size of the county government. We can't go back to the wasteful spending of years past." Shenigo agreed. "We will continue to be good stewards of taxpayers' dollars," Shenigo said. "While revenues have drastically increased, so have our expenses." Diving into debt As of today, Erie County's debt totals about $41.3 million. This marks a 64% decrease compared to when county debt peaked at $116 million in 2008. It's steadily gone down since 2009 when Shenigo first took office. And it's continued in the years since with Old, first taking office in 2017, and Shoffner, first taking office in 2019, by his side. Ensuring this number continues to decrease ranks among the commissioners' top priorities. "We are continuing to pay off debt as it matures, but, more importantly, we continue to spend wisely on new infrastructure and only after careful cost-benefit analysis warrants," Shenigo said.