Walnut Grove council holds public hearing on FY26 budget; garbage collection costs to shift to residents under proposal

At a Walnut Grove City Council meeting that began at 6:00 p.m., council members opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and discussed a plan that would move the city’s annual garbage collection charge to residents starting in January if the budget is adopted.

The change to the garbage-collection funding was described during the hearing as a measure to reduce the city’s general fund expenditures. Council members said the city currently covers a full year of garbage collection for all city residences and that, under the proposed budget, that cost would be shifted to residents beginning in January if the budget is approved. Meeting remarks noted the city’s annual cost for garbage service was shown in the budget and that staff expects that change to be an adjustment for some households.

City Administrator Joe Morris said he believes the proposed budget is conservative and presented in a way residents can understand. “This budget … residents can read and understand,” City Administrator Joe Morris said, adding staff and the council had worked to align accounts and present a clearer financial picture.

Council discussion also covered the city’s library contribution. Maxine, identified in the meeting as a library trustee, said the contractually agreed contribution remains $70,000 and that library representatives had not asked the city for an increase. “Nobody came to us from the library asking for an increase. That $70,000 is the agreed amount that was in the contract,” Maxine said.

Council members and speakers reviewed several line items and clarifications in the draft budget, including payroll tax line-item placements, information-technology and website hosting costs, and funds shown for state street grants. Staff said part of the state grant money has already been received and that additional amounts are pending and tied to the city’s street-mileage eligibility.

The proposed budget also includes one-time proceeds from property sales. Staff noted a budget line showing $620,000 for the sale of the old city office; the council was told that is a one-time revenue source and should not be expected in future budgets.

Council members discussed staffing and service changes: the city has recently hired a city administrator, planned to add one student employee in public works, and is addressing two forthcoming vacancies — a planning and zoning position and a civil enforcement position. Staff said the fiscal-year hiring plan is part of a year of preparation for the city’s operations.

Several council members and participants raised operational questions about implementing the garbage charge shift, including enforcement and collection logistics if the city moves from a city-paid, single-contractor arrangement to resident-paid accounts. Councilors discussed the trade-offs between negotiating an exclusive city contract (which was described as producing lower per-household rates and providing provided cans) and offering residents a choice of private haulers (which could result in higher rates and staggered pickup days). Staff said any change would require further negotiation and potential ordinance language.

There was no final vote on the budget at the hearing. The council closed the public hearing after hearing no public testimony for or against the proposal and scheduled a vote at the next meeting. A motion to adjourn passed at the close of the session.