Mayor delivers budget proposal, council schedules special budget hearings

Mayor Tim Bridal presented the administration—9s budget proposal to city council on April 15, framing the plan as the city—9s first sustainable general-fund surplus projection in recent years and describing investments in infrastructure, parks and a new community center.

Why it matters: the administration said the general fund begins the year with an estimated fund balance of roughly $53.5 million and proposed a budget that, as presented, projects slightly more revenues than expenditures (administration-cited figures: expenditures $83,219,441; revenues $83,299,915; projected net +$80,474). The administration also outlined spending and financing plans for several multi-year projects, including a proposed $37 million community recreation center funded through a mix of committed general-fund dollars, ARPA, grants and $20 million in bonds that the administration said can be repaid from existing revenues without a new millage.

Council action and process: Council formally received the mayor—9s proposed budget ordinance and adopted a resolution scheduling special budget review meetings. The schedule (adopted by roll call) calls for a first budget session on Tuesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m., additional sessions on May 13 and May 20 (with a 5 p.m. public hearing that evening), and an optional backup date of May 27. The resolution passed on roll call, 6yays, 1nay.

Key numbers and items presented by staff and mayor - Estimated general fund beginning balance (as of June 30 projection): approximately $53,508,000. - Proposed general fund expenditures: $83,219,441; proposed revenues: $83,299,915 (a small projected surplus as presented). - ARPA: staff reported approximately $18,700,000 in remaining ARPA funds planned for FY25-26 spending. - Bridge and road programs: the mayor highlighted ongoing MLK Boulevard resurfacing and the planned MLK bridge replacement (engineering design to be completed in July; bids to follow). - Community center: administration presented a funding plan for a new youth/community center totaling roughly $37,000,000 using $3.2M previously committed by council, $10M unassigned general fund dollars, $6.8M ARPA, and $20M in bonds (administration said the bonds can be repaid from existing revenues without new taxes).

What council requested next - Council asked for line‑item general ledger detail; staff committed to deliver GL numbers at the close of the meeting and to post the full budget book by April 29. - Council scheduled a sequence of hearings beginning April 22 so departments can be reviewed individually, with final adoption needed by the charter deadline.

Quotations from the meeting - Mayor Tim Bridal: "The state of the community is very positive and continues to improve." (mayor—9s video statement during the State of the City segment presented with the budget.) - Deputy Mayor Kelfanie Stevens: "What you have in front of you today is the budget, the proposed budget ordinance... Beginning next week, we will be doing the actual budget hearings." (staff remarks on timetables and public materials.)

Ending: Council will receive full line‑item detail and the budget book in the next two weeks and begin a series of public hearings starting April 22. The council-adopted hearing schedule passed by roll call 6yays, 1nay.