Council reviews and approves FY2025‑26 tentative budget, sets June 11 public hearing

The Springdale Town Council reviewed the fiscal year 2025‑26 tentative budget at its May 14 meeting and approved it for publication and public hearing. Rick Wixom explained state law requires municipalities to present a tentative budget in May and that the council may make changes before final adoption prior to June 22. He noted a few line‑item adjustments since the council’s workshop and said a public hearing on the final budget is set for June 11 at 5 p.m.

Councilmembers discussed several revenue options and priorities. Wixom summarized options presented at a recent municipal conference: altering the property tax rate (which requires truth‑in‑taxation procedures) and a 0.3% local option transportation sales tax that could fund streets and transportation projects. He said Washington County has imposed some transportation options and that the town previously considered a similar tax but voters did not approve it in an earlier election.

Councilmembers also revisited items deferred from the tentative budget, including a potential police drone and reconstruction of Red Hot Drive (estimated at about $600,000). Staff said the drone would require either reprioritizing budgeted items or identifying a grant to cover the cost; the police chief and lieutenant are exploring vendor options and potential grant funding.

Councilmember motion to approve the tentative budget and set the public hearing for June 11 at 5 p.m. passed unanimously among attending members. Staff will bring the final budget for adoption after the public hearing.