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Belton council advances FY 2026 budget in first reading; staff outlines raises, water projects and rental-inspection revenue
Summary
Council approved the first reading of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Staff highlighted a 5% total employee increase (2.5% COLA and 2.5% merit), several capital water projects totaling $6 million, $50,000 estimated rental-inspection revenue and program changes reallocating personnel costs across funds.
The Belton City Council approved the first reading of the fiscal year 2026 budget, advancing an appropriation ordinance that staff said contains a mix of personnel increases, utility capital spending and revenue adjustments.
City staff summarized the key assumptions for the FY 2026 budget: a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) plus a 2.5% merit pool for employees (5% total), an estimated 12–15% increase in health insurance premiums, an approximate 5% increase in water costs from Kansas City, an estimated 5% sales tax growth and a 15% increase for liability insurance. “The budget assumptions for FY ’26 include a 2.5% COLA and a 2.5% merit,” a finance staff member said during the presentation.
Notable items in the FY 2026 proposals include: a new IT position; a deputy police chief; rental-inspection revenue budgeted at $50,000 based on a $20 registration fee per rental unit; a $25,000 general-fund transfer to parks for the Carry Nation event downtown; and proposed water improvements totaling $6 million, which staff said include $1 million that could go toward an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project.
Staff said the city had about $29,000 available in the economic development line from under-budget projects and that the approximate $14,000 local match for the Missouri Main Street grant could be covered from those funds without affecting the planned FY 2026 appropriations. The presentation also noted adjustments in how personnel costs are budgeted: billing clerks and other utility-related personnel moved into finance, which increases finance’s salary and benefit line but is offset by lower personnel in water and wastewater funds.
Council members asked follow-up questions about the water-rate assumptions, whether part-time employees would receive merit increases, and the city’s contingency plan if the Missouri Legislature preempts local rental-registration ordinances. Staff said the city had included a contingency in the budget to address a pending state bill that could preempt local rental registration.
The ordinance adopting the proposed FY 2026 budget passed its first reading and will return for a second reading as required before final adoption.
