Below is a press release from the Logan County Commissioners:
“The Board of Logan County Commissioners is pleased to release the approved operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
The budget for 2026 was particularly challenging to compile. Starting in early fall, the Commissioners began to hold budget hearings with the elected officials and other leaders of county departments to understand department needs and hear supporting information for the funding needs of each office. The Commissioners advised elected officials to hold their budget increases to 4%.
The Sheriff’s Office was the exception due to the result of negotiations with the members of the road patrol, communications and correctional officer’s unions. Initial raise offers of 4%, 3% and 3% for fiscal years 2026 – 2028 for all union employees were rejected. This led to the bargaining process and the next step of fact finding. The fact finder listened to both sides and issued a report calling for raises for road patrol officers to 18.9% and 3%/ 3% in fiscal years 2026 – 2028. The road patrol union voted to accept the report. Commissioners were concerned about the enormous strain on county finances that may eventually impact operations of every department that serves Logan County citizens. However, they reluctantly chose not to reject it, allowing the raises to go into effect on 1/1/26.
The fact finder initially presented communications and correctional officer unions with 9.28% and 3%/3% raises in fiscal years 2026 – 2028. Their union rejected that proposal and took the issue to arbitration. In arbitration, the communications and correctional officers were awarded raises that matched the road deputy unit of 18.9% and 3%/3% in fiscal years 2026 – 2028. The Commissioners were again reluctant to agree. They instead chose not to sign the agreement, which automatically allowed it to go into effect.
Sheriff’s Offices and jails across Ohio are funded in large part through each county’s General Fund, which is partially derived from property taxes. Currently, 21% of the Logan County General Fund is supported by property taxes. There has also been a public outcry regarding rising property taxes and their effect on family budgets. The Logan County Commissioners are concerned that these recent budget decisions at the Sheriff’s Office and the threat of property tax abolishment in Ohio will make long-term decisions for responsible, fair and sustainable budgeting extremely challenging.”
View the entire budget here: Copy of 2026 Budget for Distribution
