Council reviews FY 2025–26 budget approach, agrees to cautious stance and to hold some actions

At its Sept. 16 meeting the Pryor Creek City Council conducted an extended discussion of the FY 2025–26 general fund and related budgets and financial results from the previous fiscal year.

City finance staff reported estimated legally budgetable revenue of roughly $9.1 million and noted revenues recognized so far of about $8.7 million. Staff recommended keeping the coming year’s operating budget flat relative to the prior year, limiting new positions to backfills only, and placing excess available budget in unallocated reserves. Council members and staff discussed year-end timing, carryover, and the mechanics of how unallocated reserves roll into next year’s budget calculation.

After reviewing preliminary numbers and internal reconciliations, council members agreed to hold off on taking action on some general-fund line items until final reconciliations are completed; motions were made to take no action on certain consent items so staff could finalize year-end figures and present the final budgetable numbers. The council approved the street-fund budget for 2025–26 at the meeting.

Council members credited department heads and staff for fiscal discipline during the prior year and emphasized the intent to continue a conservative stance over the coming year to strengthen carryover and reserves. Staff said final reconciliations should be ready within a week and that department heads will be asked to maintain current expense levels where possible.