Carthage council adopts 2025-26 budget, approves utility rate changes, golf fee increases and sidewalk contract

The Carthage City Council on June 24 adopted the city—s fiscal 2025-26 budget and approved related ordinances that increase utility rates, revise golf fees and authorize a sidewalk contract.

The action came during the council—s second readings: council bill 25-42 (budget) passed, council bill 25-41 (utility rate changes) passed, council bill 25-37 (golf fee ordinance) passed and council bill 25-40 (sidewalk contract with ATS Contractors LLC for $574,199.40) passed. Council also approved a committee motion earlier to amend golf fund projections with updated revenues and expenditures for the municipal course.

Why it matters: the budget sets city spending and tax-supported programs beginning July 1. The utility rate ordinance implements Board-requested changes to electric, water and wastewater fees. The golf measures and fund amendment are intended to address a projected shortfall at the municipal course; the sidewalk contract funds a state-supported TAP pedestrian project on Airport Drive and Fairview Avenue.

Council discussion and votes: Budget committee and council members discussed the golf fund deficit and adjustments to staffing and capital purchases that changed revenue and expenditure lines before final passage. The council held a public hearing on the budget during the meeting. When the council called the final roll on the budget and related ordinances, each passed on voice vote; no detailed roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript.

Details recorded in the meeting: a budget committee motion to amend the golf fund reflected revised golf revenues of $929,200 and golf expenses for the 2025-26 budget of $1,029,349.04, citing rate increases and a change from leasing to purchasing a mower. The sidewalk contract with ATS Contractors LLC was authorized in the amount of $574,199.40 pursuant to TAP-1601706. The council approved ordinance language raising cart fees and establishing demand-based green fees effective Aug. 1; the ordinance references 18-hole rates ranging from $14 to $32 and 9-hole rates from $12 to $20, as discussed at the meeting.

Background: City staff and committee chairs said the golf course had not increased fees since 2017 and that rising costs and capital needs had driven the updates. The budget will take effect July 1 under the city charter.

Looking ahead: Councilmembers said they expect departments to monitor operations to limit future deficits and to report on results of fee changes in coming months.