(Photo by Jess Mancini) From left, Wood County Commissioners Jim Hamric, Jimmy Colombo and Blair Couch review bills and invoices at Monday’s commission meeting. Commissioners passed the 2026-27 budget and appointed Melvin Turner to the planning commission.

PARKERSBURG — The 2026-27 budget for Wood County was approved Monday by the county commission, which warned of escalating regional jail fees.

The $31.388 million budget for 26-27 takes effect July 1. The spending plan is up from $29.283 million from 25-26, mostly due to an increase in the millage rates for property taxation that was approved last week by the commission.

The county increased the millage, which comes to about $1.20 more per $100,000 valuation across all four classifications of property. The increase will raise about another $330,000, Commissioner Blair Couch said.

It was the second time in 20 years the millage was raised, Couch said.

“We still have one of the lowest rates in the state,” Couch said.

(Photo by Jess Mancini) A breakdown of revenues and expenditures of the 2026-27 budget approved on Monday by the Wood County Commission.

The highest is Kanawha County, he said.

The prime reason for increasing the millage rates was the regional jail fees charged by the state on counties for keeping prisoners. Fees charged to Wood County rose from $2.5 million to nearly $3 million last year.

It can go up again this year, Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said.

“We have no control of what comes out of Charleston,” he said.

Despite the fees, the new system of regional jails is an improvement over individual jails operated by counties, Couch said.

(Photo by Jess Mancini) From left, County Administrator Marty Seufer, Commissioner Jim Hamric and Commissioner Jimmy Colombo look over a budget document Monday. Commissioners approved the 2026-27 budget.

The budget also includes funds to cover a 3% pay increase for county employees, Couch said. Elected officers sought 5% for their employees.

On the expenditure side, $14.037 million is allocated for general government services, up from $13.544 in 25-26, and $14.653 million for public safety, up from $13.209 in 25-26.

Revenue from taxes increased about $1.2 million, mostly due to increases in property valuations.

The budget next goes to the state auditor for review, County Clerk Joe Gonzalez said.

Commissioners Monday also appointed Melvin Turner to the Wood County Planning Commission.