Council debates trimming budget workshops; staff to produce condensed calendar for 2026 process

Finance staff presented a draft 2026 budget calendar and asked the council for guidance on the number and timing of workshops. Finance Director Dan Mike said the draft mirrors prior years but proposed consolidating presentations so council could review a complete preliminary package earlier in August rather than spread presentations across multiple meetings.

Mike described a proposed approach: a focused CIP workshop (suggested July 15), a consolidated budget presentation (suggested Aug. 5) incorporating CIP and enterprise budgets, and a near‑final review by Sept. 16 before certification of the maximum levy in late September. He said consolidating meetings requires staff to prepare more materials in advance but would free workshop time for other policy discussions.

Council members expressed differing preferences. Some members favored reducing the number of special meetings to minimize evening workloads and allow staff more time to prepare; others cautioned that public engagement on levy issues is important and urged the council to ensure adequate opportunities for public input. Council members did not take a formal vote to change the calendar; Mike said he would produce a modified schedule and circulate it to council for follow up.

Mike also emphasized that even with fewer meetings, the public will receive the same budget materials and that council can request additional meetings if needed during the process. He urged council members to review materials ahead of condensed meetings to ensure efficient discussion.

Ending: Staff will circulate a modified schedule reflecting the council’s direction; no formal changes to the 2026 budget calendar were adopted at the workshop.