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Sedalia adopts FY2026 budget, five-year CIP and targeted appropriations
Summary
The Sedalia City Council on March 17 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, a five-year capital improvement plan and several appropriations, after a public hearing that included calls to pause demolition funding pending improved asbestos testing.
The Sedalia City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, approved a five-year capital improvement plan and passed supplemental appropriations during its March 17 meeting.
Interim City Administrator Matt Wirt presented the budget summary and said the packet included a fund-by-fund summary and anticipated year-end fund balances. The council took the required public hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget before moving to second and final readings of the ordinance to adopt the budget.
The action followed a short public hearing in which resident Debbie Covington urged the council to remove or reduce demolition funding from the budget, saying the city had not been properly testing homes for asbestos and lead. “I ask that the budget you all have set aside for demolition of homes be readjusted or completely taken out of the budget,” Covington said for the record.
Council members moved the bill for second reading and then for final passage. The council recorded the final passage of Bill No. 2025-36, authorizing the adoption of the FY2026 budget; it also passed a separate FY2025 budget amendment and adopted the five-year capital improvement plan by ordinance.
Staff presented several budget-related appropriations that were included in the adoption package. The council authorized a $140,000 annual appropriation to Economic Development of Sedalia–Pettis County for contracted economic-development services and approved an updated appropriation of $12,000 for the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival. Separately, after a presentation and council review, the council authorized an additional $100,000 in opioid-settlement funds to the Embassy program for facility repairs; staff said the city’s restricted opioid-abatement fund balance was $181,147.44 and recommended the transfer to cover unexpected repair costs.
The council and staff said the capital improvement plan will be adjusted over time as revenues, grants or priorities evolve. During the budget discussion councilors asked staff to estimate the cost impacts of additional demolition oversight and whether the Department of Natural Resources would be involved for hazardous-material requirements; staff said those costs would need further study and could affect the final numbers.
The council completed the required readings and passed the related ordinances during the meeting.
