Mayor Kapszukiewicz Submits 2026 Proposed Budget
Honorable Council President Vanice Williams and Members of Toledo City Council:
I am pleased to present for your review and consideration the Proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets for the City of Toledo.
Download 2026 Proposed Budget Highlights
Download 2026 Organizational Structure
The 2026 budget is a proposal built with discipline and creativity. It maintains our commitment to fiscal integrity while contemplating creative revenue ideas that have already been successfully adopted in other Ohio cities. We have a shared responsibility to provide excellent basic services, and to meet the rising costs of those services, sometimes we are faced with difficult decisions.
The 2026 Proposed Budget includes a General Fund Budget of $392.5 million, a Capital Fund Budget of $41.5 million, and a roads budget of $36 million. We have proposed a $24 million transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund.
Our financial health remains strong, a fact recently validated by yet another increase in Toledo's bond rating. This is a tremendous sign of confidence in our stewardship—the highest rating in over 40 years—and it directly results in lower interest and bond rates that will save taxpayer dollars for years to come. This trust is humbling, and we will work every day to demonstrate that it is well placed.
Yet, as I have said many times throughout the past year, Toledo faces a fundamental revenue challenge in meeting the service needs and aspirations of our residents. We are a city making undeniable progress—crime is down, economic development is winning awards, and our infrastructure investments are highly visible.
This budget includes a necessary adjustment: a small increase in the municipal garbage collection fee, the first time in over 10 years. This measure is essential to keep pace with the rising expenses associated with waste management as the City explores transitioning to a new service provider, a move we believe will ultimately ensure more efficient and reliable service for our customers.
To truly thrive, we must grow our population through sustained, strategic investments in jobs, safety, housing, parks, and our roads. To do that, we simply must ensure we have the necessary resources. These problems won't magically go away on their own. They require the hard work and serious planning Toledoans have come to expect from this administration.
I believe the 2026 Proposed Budget continues our upward trajectory while establishing a new, sustainable financial foundation for our future.
The 2026 budget prioritizes:
- Public Safety with a new police class of 25 officers and a new fire class of 20 firefighters
- Neighborhoods and parks with an ongoing commitment to youth programming
- Maintaining and updating infrastructure including utilities, streets, sidewalks, and trees – including improvements on 134 residential streets
- Economic Development with continued support for the Vibrancy Initiative
As I’ve said many times, Toledo isn’t perfect, but we are making progress. I’m excited about what we can accomplish through this 2026 budget and over the last four years of my time as Mayor.
I have never loved a job more than I love being Mayor, and I have never loved a city more than I love Toledo. I’m so grateful we have the chance to continue this work together.
Sincerely,
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor, City of Toledo