Golf Manor Village Finance Committee members reviewed the September finance packet and a draft 2026 tax budget, then voted to recommend the appropriations to the full council.

Eric, the village administrator and fiscal officer, presented the September financials, reporting cash and investment positions and month‑to‑month variances. He said the village’s high‑interest savings account held $2,557,483.88 and that the municipal general‑fund receipts for the month totaled $463,592.05, including property‑tax receipts. He also reported interest earnings of $6,473.12 in the STAR Ohio fund and $7,858.04 in the Fifth Third savings account. Eric told the committee the September shortfall was primarily “due to an adjustments on an account that overpaid in 2024.”

The packet showed total general‑fund appropriations for the month of $191,171.41, about $43,280.91 less than September 2024; that reduction was attributed largely to a one‑time HVAC project last year. Eric said the village had nine outstanding payments totaling $54,343.49. He also noted the village received $859,330.84 in its second biannual distribution of real‑estate taxes from the Hamilton County Auditor and said homestead rollback payments from the state were expected in October.

Committee members focused on a draft 2026 tax budget that shifts all full‑time police officers to the general fund while moving part‑time officers to the police levy. Eric said the reallocation makes balancing easier but creates a projected deficit in the police levy because some full‑time costs — notably benefits — have moved to the general fund. He described the 2026 revenue assumptions as coming primarily from income taxes, trash collection fees and modest property‑tax increases, and he conservatively estimated annual investment earnings in the range of $120,000–$150,000.

Members asked about vehicle replacement plans and capital outlays. Eric said Catherine Reed is tracking fleet status and that no additional vehicle purchases were planned in the draft beyond the current schedule; some equipment and vehicle costs remain budgeted in the police and DEA funds. The committee also discussed anticipated changes at the state level to property‑tax policy; Eric said talk of eliminating property taxes could pose a significant long‑term fiscal risk but that such changes were not imminent.

After discussion, a motion to recommend the appropriations to the full council was made and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee encouraged members to submit follow‑up questions to administration before the next meeting and expressed a preference to vote final appropriations at the November meeting so the village is ready to pay bills on Jan. 1.