FAIRMONT— After a lengthy discussion about vehicle replacement, the Fairmont City Council on Monday set the preliminary 2026 budget and tax levy at a 8.2 percent, or $612,000, levy increase. The council will not set the official budget and levy— which can be decreased but not increased— until its truth in taxation meeting in December. The council previously had two workshops to discuss the budget on Aug. 25 and Sept. 8. Fairmont’s Finance Director, Paul Hoye, explained what some of the biggest changes are this year. “Some of the things that drove the proposed levy increase ...