Lewiston council signals support for proposed FY26 budget; tax rate rises $1 to $32.77, fund balance drops to 9.73%

Director Roy told Lewiston City Council members at a budget workshop that staff had reduced proposed spending and adjusted revenues to produce a $1 increase in the city's tax rate to $32.77 per $1,000 of assessed value and to lower the estimated fund balance to 9.73%.

"In front of you is the new tax rate sheet. Got it down to a dollar increase, so the tax rate would be $32.77," Director Roy said, summarizing the principal change staff had made to reach the target. Roy also told the council, "we'll be using 7,400,000.0 which will leave us at 9.73% of fund balance."

The staff adjustments described to the council included: a $50,000 reduction tied to a lower contribution from the City of Auburn (line 09/11); removal of uniform and boot allowance line items for positions that remain frozen; a $20,000 reduction to winter salary projections based on a five-year comparison after dropping the lowest year; a $299,000 reduction in the salary reserve…