Baker City Council adopted the 2025-26 budget resolution June 24 and approved a small appropriation increase to allow an electric vehicle purchase as one of the planned replacements.

Staff said the only change from the budget committee’s approved version was increasing the equipment and vehicle replacement estimate from $55,000 to $60,000 to permit the purchase of an electric vehicle as one of two scheduled replacements. Councilor Kohls moved adoption of the budget resolution and Councilor Rula seconded; the motion carried with no opposing votes.

Council also opened and closed the public hearing required for state revenue sharing dollars. Staff noted the city included $130,000 in the budget estimate for state-shared revenue this year and reminded the council this hearing is a required formality to receive the funds. Councilor Brueland moved approval of the state revenue-sharing resolution; Councilor Kohls seconded and the resolution was approved unanimously.

Staff noted the city’s permanent tax rate remains $6.3314 per $1,000 of assessed value. Councilors said they will follow up on any technical categorization of taxes as part of adoption procedures.

Council also discussed transient lodging tax (TLT) follow-ups: staff said TLT funds from the county were expected and that the city will post applications for TLT committee members on July 1, with appointments planned for the council’s second July meeting.

Present at the budget vote were Mayor Dorte and councilors; staff in attendance included the finance/budget staff who presented the change to the vehicle replacement fund.