Coldwater council adopts 2026 budget, sets operating millage at 11.4439

The Coldwater City Council on June 9 adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, approving the general fund, special and enterprise fund budgets and separate millage levies for road bonds and retirement.

City finance staff said the general fund budget in resolution 25-39 includes $13.5 million in revenue and $13.7 million in expenditures and sets the operating millage at 11.4439, a reduction from last year attributed to a Headlee rollback. “This is a culmination of the annual budget process,” the presenter stated, summarizing the package and noting the budget includes $812,000 of capital outlays and sidewalk work.

The council also adopted resolution 25-40 covering special revenue and enterprise funds; resolution 25-41 setting the current-year levy for the 2025 road bonds at 1.45 mills; and resolution 25-42 setting the retirement levy at 1.3333 mills. All votes on the four resolutions carried.

Council members and staff described the budget as conservative in its estimate of the state’s excess personal property tax reimbursement, noting that amount has been significant in past years but is not guaranteed. The finance presenter emphasized that staff used conservative assumptions when estimating revenues.

The council held a public hearing on the draft budget at its May 27 meeting and reviewed the proposal at an April 14 budget workshop and with the Board of Public Utilities in April and May before final action on June 9.

The council’s vote concludes the budget process for FY2026; staff said line-item details and the budget letter are included in the packet for review.