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Clarkdale council adopts $47.4 million budget, sets construction hours and opposes federal land sales
Summary
At its June 24 meeting the Clarkdale Town Council adopted the fiscal 2025–26 budget, approved a truth-in-taxation notice that keeps the tax rate flat while raising the levy, adopted an ordinance aligning local construction-hour rules with SB 1182 and voted to oppose proposed disposal of federal public lands.
The Clarkdale Town Council on June 24 adopted a $47,384,536 fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a truth-in-taxation notice to levy primary property taxes at $0.13443 per $100 of assessed value, adopted an ordinance aligning town construction-hour rules with state law and approved a resolution opposing disposal of Bureau of Land Management and National Forest System lands.
Town Manager Guthrie told the council that keeping the town’s tax rate flat while allowing the levy to increase will generate about $61,006.55 in additional revenue — a 9.24% increase in the levy — without increasing the town’s $0.13443 rate. Guthrie said the change responds to declining sales-tax receipts and a series of state-level revenue changes and that the council’s approach preserves services while using grants and fund balance to support capital projects.
The council adopted the budget and the levy notice after a public hearing. The final step to set the levy is scheduled for the council’s July 8 meeting, when the town will adopt the ordinance that officially sets assessed valuations and the property tax levy.
Council members also adopted Ordinance 439 to align Clarkdale’s construction-hour code with SB 1182, a state law that preempts local limits on construction hours. Under the council’s action the town will allow construction to start as early as 5 a.m. on weekdays with a narrow exception (concrete pours may be allowed earlier under the law), and the council directed that the 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours apply year-round. The council added language to the ordinance so weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday) match Saturday’s 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule. Town staff noted the state law limits local governments’ ability to adopt more restrictive hours.
The council also approved Resolution 17-39 opposing Congressional proposals that would sell or otherwise dispose of BLM and National Forest System lands identified in recent federal proposals. Council members said the parcels include recreation and watershed areas important to Clarkdale’s tourism and water resources; council members cited Mingus Mountain, Sycamore Canyon and lands between Clarkdale and nearby communities as areas of concern.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items a, b, d, e, f, g): Approved (motion by Council Member O'Neil; second by Council Member Babbitt Pierce). Voice vote; motion carried. - Ordinance 439 (implementing SB 1182 construction-hour preemption): Adopted (motion by Council Member Jones; second by Council Member O'Neil). Voice vote; motion carried. Council modified the proposal to apply the 5 a.m.–7 p.m. limits year-round and to add weekend language so Sunday hours match Saturday’s 7 a.m.–7 p.m. - Resolution 17-37 (truth in taxation — intent to levy primary property taxes at $0.13443 per $100): Approved (motion by Council Member Babbitt Pierce; second by Vice Mayor Hunsicker). Roll-call vote: Vice Mayor Hunsicker — approve; Council Member Jones — approve; Council Member Babbitt Pierce — approve; Council Member O'Neil — approve; Mayor Proudhon Bower — yes. Motion carried. - Resolution 17-38 (final FY2025–26 budget adoption, $47,384,536): Approved (motion by Council Member Jones; second by Vice Mayor Hunsicker). Voice vote; motion carried. - Resolution 17-39 (opposing disposal of BLM and National Forest System lands): Approved (motion by Council Member Babbitt Pierce; second by Council Member O'Neil). Voice vote; motion carried.
Council members and staff said grants and a multi-year capital improvement plan will fund most major projects in the coming year; the presentation listed $27.3 million in CIP projects funded through a mix of grants and fund balance and noted the town applied for multiple grants to fund road and water projects. Guthrie told the council that the town has applied for approximately $37.6 million in grants over the last three years and received about $15.2 million to date.
The budget presentation identified a year-over-year decline in sales tax collections and state shared revenues; Guthrie said the town reduced the sales-tax forecast by $250,000 for the coming fiscal year to account for continuing softness in construction and retail activity. The adopted budget includes a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for staff, increased contingency and investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, including design of a new water campus funded in part by a $1 million EPA grant.
The council next meets July 8 to finalize levy adoption and the ordinance that will formally set assessed valuations.
Ending: The council’s actions will take effect as specified in each ordinance or resolution; the town manager and clerk were authorized to execute documents related to the budget, levy notice and adopted resolutions.
