Parkersburg City Councilwoman Wendy Tuck listened as Mayor Tom Joyce addressed one of her questions Wednesday as the Committee of the Whole met to discuss the 2025-2026 city budget. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg City Council Committee of the Whole met Wednesday night in council chambers to discuss the 2025-2026 city budget.

Finance Director Eric Jiles highlighted the relatively flat revenue projections, noting modest increases in areas like property taxes, municipal sales tax and miscellaneous income.

“Property tax revenue is up slightly, but we’re expecting municipal sales tax to remain relatively flat,” Jiles said.

He said the budget includes a 4.2% wage increase and a 16% hike in health insurance costs across all departments.

“These increases are built into the budget and will be seen throughout the various departments,” Jiles said.

The Parkersburg City Council Committee of the Whole met Wednesday night in council chambers to discuss the 2025-2026 city budget. The committee will meet again tonight at 6:30 p.m. to continue discussions. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The capital reserve fund was reviewed, with $1.2 million in estimated funding for projects like street improvements and building maintenance.

“This is the final gateway sign we’re doing from the original plan laid out years ago,” Mayor Tom Joyce said

The committee also discussed the opioid settlement fund, with $1 million in estimated revenue allocated for prevention programs and equipment purchases.

“We’re budgeting $90,000 for the Game Changer program,” Joyce said. “I received word from Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis and they want to continue Game Changers at the three schools.”

An overview of items discussed can be found below. The Committee of the Whole will meet again tonight to continue discussions on the 2025-2026 budget. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers and will be open to the public.

Overview of Revenue Estimates

* Property tax revenue is relatively flat, with a slight increase expected.

* Municipal sales tax and other revenue sources like fines, forfeitures, licenses and permits are also projected to remain flat.

* There is an increase in intergovernmental revenue due to transfers from other funds and investment income.

* Miscellaneous revenue is increasing by $70,000, primarily due to adjustments for interest income.

Budget Adjustments and Expenditures

* The budget includes a 4.2% wage increase and a 16% increase in health insurance costs across all departments.

* There was discussion about the budget allocation for sidewalk supply on charges and the stability of gaming tables/video lotteries as revenue sources.

* The collection of delinquent fees was explained, with the city using them to offset current year fees that may not be collected.

Departmental Budgets

* The Civil Service Commission budget has remained flat for six to eight years, with legal services related to this department.

* The mayor’s budget does not include the 4.2% wage increase, as it does not apply to elected officials.

* The city council budget saw an increase for interpretive services, and the finance department had higher IT license and subscription costs.

* Other department budgets, such as the city clerk, municipal judge, and city attorney, were largely flat with minor adjustments.

Public Works, Development, and Discretionary Funding

* The public works and development budgets were relatively flat.

* Discretionary funding allocations to various nonprofits and organizations were reviewed, including a change in the multicultural festival funding.

Capital Reserve Fund and Other Funds

* The capital reserve fund has an estimated surplus and planned expenditures for projects like street improvements and building maintenance.

* The opioid settlement fund was discussed, with allocations for prevention programs and equipment purchases.

* The user fee fund revenue and expenditures were reviewed, with a clarification on residents potentially paying duplicate user fees.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com