Fairfield · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fairfield public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Budget Amendments
Council added about $4.5 million in spending for roads, utilities, and storm sewer repairs, including $125,000 for emergency storm sewer work.
Income Tax Office records and communication concerns
Residents, including pharmacist Michelle Sparto, report repeated erroneous notices about unfiled taxes and fear credit-report consequences. Mayor Miller promised a public remediation plan by the second meeting in June.
Rising road salt costs
Salt will cost $110.68 per ton this winter through the Butler County co-op — up about 15% from last year and nearly double the 2017 price, driven by fuel, mining and scarcity costs.
AFSCME contract and city employee pay
Council approved a slate of employee compensation updates: police union raises, a market-adjusted pay plan for non-union staff, a fixed health club reimbursement, and a brand-new paid parental leave benefit meant to help recruit and keep talent.
Butler County DD fiscal emergency and May levy
The county developmental disabilities board has run out of money — waiver costs have jumped 380% since its last levy in 2004. It's asking voters for a new 2-mill levy in May, about $70 a year per $100,000 home value, to keep existing services running.
2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program
Council adopted the five-year, $167.6 million capital plan covering roads, parks, utilities and facilities through 2030. It sets what infrastructure gets built and when.