Commissioners in Columbiana are trying to figure out how to get their bottom line in 2025. 

Each year the county auditor makes a prediction on how much they will be able to spend. In 2025, they expect a little over $23 million dollars. County departments have requested what they believe they need next year and it adds up to more than $26 million. That $3 million difference means some departments won't get as much as they want. 

“What the commissioners have to look at when they are appropriating those monies is what they’ve spent in the last few years,” Nancy Milliken, the Columbiana County Auditor said. “If they get somebody’s budget in that’s way out of line, they need to ask some questions. Which they do.”

The commissioners and Milliken refer to the requests as “wish-lists.” Board of Commission President, Mike Halleck told 21 News the requests "will be trimmed down based on need and made to align with our revenue."

The Sheriff's Department has one of the biggest wish-list. In 2025, they’re requesting more than $4 million - which is up from years past.

“Everything just keeps going up,” Sheriff Brian McLaughlin of Columbiana County said. “The fuel for the cruisers, the cost of the cruisers, the upkeep of the cruisers, it all has gone up.”

The funds they get also cover payroll for about 60 employees, cost for patrol, registrations for offenders, the 911 dispatch center and more. 

Milliken said all of the requests typically add up to more than the county is expected to have every year. Even if a department doesn't get funding at the start of the year they could later on. 

Since the budget is largely made up of the 1% sales tax, if the county has a good year the commissioners will give out more money. 

“You might have a couple million more to spend,” Milliken said. 

On top of that, any unused funds are carried over to the next year to spend. 

If there is some unexpected money leftover, the commissioners will give it out in October or November of 2025.