Pictured is Warren City Council at Monday night’s public budget hearing.

WARREN – The Warren City Council has been working on the 2026 budget since the beginning of November, and the proposed plan shows a slight overall decrease compared to the previous year.

This year’s budget of $10,407,670 is comparable to the $10,570,375 budget of 2025, reflecting a reduction of just over $160,000.

Despite the overall decrease, several items showed shifts for 2026. According to the budget, the amount the city expects to pay in taxes is projected to rise by more than $380,000.

In addition, finance and administrative services are set to increase, moving from $2,367,885 in 2025 to $2,681,352 in 2026.

Other departments, however, will see reductions. The Police Department budget will remain relatively stable, but is expected to decrease by about $90,000. The same is true for the Fire Department, which will decrease by approximately $35,000. The most significant departmental change appears in Public Works, which will see a 12% reduction, dropping from $2,809,685 to $2,475,120.

Adjustments are also evident elsewhere. The Codes and Planning Department’s budget will dip slightly from $309,657 to $293,755. The Community Improvement Program Fund will experience one of the largest shifts, decreasing exponentially from $8,417,000 to $5,656,000.

Meanwhile, the city’s sewer fund will remain relatively unchanged, with a minor decline from $3,072,366 to $3,027,532.

In contrast, the city parking fund is projected to increase slightly, rising from $536,502 to $562,876.

The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed budget Monday night.

However, no Warren residents attended the hearing to share questions, comments or concerns.

The budget will be voted on at the City Council meeting on Monday. Dec. 15.