Anderson council adopts 2026 appropriations, approves 8% pay plan and related salary ordinances

Anderson — The Anderson City Council on Sept. 9 heard a presentation of the proposed 2026 budget and unanimously adopted the appropriations and tax‑rate ordinance, while approving a series of salary ordinances that implement an 8% pay increase for many elected and nonunion city employees.

Mayor (unnamed) presented the spending plan that he said “sets the budget for next year” at $46,800,000 and described one‑time and recurring priorities including $1.5 million for sidewalks and alleys, $2 million for street paving (bringing the city’s total paving program to $5 million if additional funds are secured), and $1.3 million for park improvements including restroom replacements and basketball court resurfacing at Streety and Pulaski parks. The council moved the appropriations and tax rates ordinance (Ordinance 20‑25) through first and second readings and passed it unanimously.

The budget's nut graf: City officials said the package is balanced across all funds and preserves a sizable operating balance while increasing investment in public safety, parks and streets. Doug Whittam, the city controller, told the council the administration built the plan on conservative revenue estimates and one‑time distributions that have bolstered recent budgets.

Whittam outlined revenue assumptions that underlie the plan: the controller said the city used a 4% growth quotient for the property tax levy (producing a maximum levy estimate of about $40,939,000 for controlled funds), and estimated circuit‑breaker losses at roughly 38% for 2026. He warned that state changes tied to “Senate Bill 1” — specifically recharacterizing some deductions as tax credits — could reduce local revenue in coming years, but said current projections support the proposed spending.

On personnel costs, the council approved multiple ordinances that together apply an 8% salary increase to elected officers and many nonunion employees. Jake Brown, personnel director, presented the salary measures and said the ordinance texts and exhibits reflect the 8% adjustment for elected officials and nonunion pay scales.

Separately, the administration reported a four‑year police contract recently ratified by the union and approved by the safety board. Mayor (unnamed) summarized the contract’s pay schedule as 8% in year one, 6% in years two and three, and 5.5% in year four; he said those increases compound to about a 28% increase over the four‑year term. The contract also raises the longevity cap for police officers from a 20‑year maximum to 25 years and increases the maximum longevity pay to $11,000 by 2029; the mayor noted longevity counts toward the pension base.

Council members and staff emphasized the budget’s priority on public safety. Whittam and the mayor described public safety as the largest single category of general fund spending when police and fire allocations in other funds are included. The budget documents reviewed by the council also show funding for vehicle and equipment replacement, continued spending to remediate unsafe structures and blight, and a $1,550,000 local match earmarked to secure operating funds for CATS (the city’s public transit partner).

Union leaders asked how the city would handle potential negotiated settlements that exceed the 8% baseline. Mike Fisher, president of UAW Local 1963, asked whether the budget includes flexibility should a bargaining unit win a larger increase; Whittam said the administration believes the adopted appropriations will cover likely outcomes but that the city could return to the council for an additional appropriation next year if necessary.

Votes at a glance: The council passed Ordinance 20‑25 (appropriations and tax rates) and a series of salary ordinances on first and second reading during the meeting. The salary ordinances approved on first and second reading include Ordinance 24‑25 (elected officers), Ordinance 25‑25 (Anderson City Court and probation personnel), Ordinance 26‑25 (city clerk’s office), Ordinance 27‑25 (appointed officers, departmental heads and other employees), Ordinance 28‑25 (Anderson Police Department executive staff), and Ordinance 29‑25 (Anderson Fire Department executive staff). Each of these ordinances passed on roll calls recorded during the meeting.

The council announced the third reading for the budget is scheduled for a special meeting set for Oct. 2 at 6:00 p.m. The mayor and controller said they expect contracts still in negotiation — notably fire and other bargaining units — to be finalized before the end of the year but acknowledged the council may face additional appropriation requests if negotiations produce higher‑than‑expected settlements.

Council President Stevenson presided over the meeting; all roll‑call votes recorded for the ordinances enacted that night were unanimous in favor.

Ending: With the budget ordinances and salary measures moved forward, the council will reconvene Oct. 2 for the budget's final reading. The administration said the adopted plan preserves a strong operating balance while increasing targeted spending on streets, parks and public safety.