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Milton unveils FY2026 proposed budget with pay adjustments, new positions and $8.7M PAYGO plan
Summary
City staff presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget at a Sept. 8 public hearing, outlining a $49.78 million general-fund revenue forecast, a 4.1% market salary adjustment, requests to add several positions including two school liaison officers, and a pay-as-you-go capital program that would require an $8.72 million transfer.
Milton City Council held the first of two public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during a special called meeting on Monday, Sept. 8. Staff presented high-level projections, personnel requests and capital funding plans that will return for final adoption following a second hearing and vote planned for Sept. 15.
The consolidated citywide budget—including all funds—was presented at roughly $64,000,000. Staff said the general-fund revenue forecast for FY2026 is $49,782,134, an ongoing revenue increase of about $1.58 million (3.3%) over the amended FY2025 budget. “The overall revenue forecast equals $49,782,134 with ongoing revenues increasing by $1,580,000 or 3.3%,” Steve told council.
Major items in the proposed FY2026 budget included: - A requested 4.1% market adjustment to salaries based on state and local government figures from the March 2025 Employment Cost Index, with total salary-and-benefit impact of about $795,000 (about $665,000 of that attributable to salaries). - Requests for three new positions beginning Oct. 1 if approved, including two school liaison officers and two information services positions anticipated to reduce managed-services costs over time. - A PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) funding plan for capital projects with a transfer requirement shown at $8,720,329; staff said any unspent FY2025 funds will reduce next year’s required transfer.
Staff also described several special-revenue and capital funds: the opioid settlement fund (forecast revenue $25,000 and authorized spending $51,077, with purchases subject to settlement rules), a compensated-asset fund balance of $41,223 awaiting authorized police purchases, and an expected hotel-motel tax transfer of approximately $65,000 to the city events fund to support city-sponsored events. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund currently had no projected activity for FY2026 pending ongoing hydrology and stormwater work; staff said they will amend the budget if ARPA funds remain unspent after Sept. 30, 2025.
Why it matters: The FY2026 budget sets staffing levels, pay policy and capital funding priorities for the coming year; council’s final adoption on Sept. 15 will set legal spending limits for city departments.
Procedure and timing: This Sept. 8 hearing was the first of two advertised public hearings. Staff reminded council that the vote to adopt the FY2026 budget will occur on Sept. 15 after the second public hearing. Bernadette Harvill, city clerk, confirmed there were no public comments on the proposed FY2026 budget during the Sept. 8 hearing.
Background and recognition: Staff noted Milton has received the Government Finance Officers Association distinguished budget award every year since its first application in FY2019 and that the finance team earned special recognition from reviewers for strategic goals and performance measures.
Next steps: Council will hold the second public hearing and vote on adoption at its Sept. 15 regular meeting. If adopted, staff will finalize the official budget book and implement the new staffing and capital funding requests beginning Oct. 1 as described.
