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Oak Grove council approves 2026 preliminary general fund budget and levy; property‑tax impact expected to fall slightly
Summary
The council voted 5–0 on Sept. 8 to approve the 2026 preliminary general fund budget and preliminary property tax levy; staff said the proposal balances the general fund and would lower the typical property taxpayer’s bill about 1.69% if assessed values hold.
The Oak Grove City Council approved the city’s 2026 preliminary general fund budget and preliminary property‑tax levy in a 5–0 vote on Sept. 8.
A staff presentation described the proposed general fund budget at $4,054,034 and a total proposed levy of $4,683,242, an overall levy increase of $221,008 (4.95%). The staff speaker said the general fund property tax levy portion rose $308,980 (approximately 10.85%) while other levies produced a smaller overall change.
Staff said the city anticipates the tax rate to fall slightly — from 25.88% to an estimated 25.441% — and projected an average property‑level tax impact that would be a 1.69% decrease compared with the previous year, provided market values do not change. The presenter reviewed major budget drivers: added part‑time staff and newsletter costs in administration, a proposed increase in election judge pay ($6,000), computer‑service upgrades, additional code‑enforcement work in planning and zoning, and higher police contract costs (an increase of about $72,000). The capital improvement plan (CIP) for 2026 included roughly $1,051,870 in projects across public works, public safety and parks.
Council members were told that the preliminary levy is the "worst case" scenario because the levy can be reduced before the final levy is adopted in December, but cannot be increased after the preliminary approval. The council voted to approve the preliminary budget and set the final truth‐in‐taxation public hearing for Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.; property‑tax statements will reflect the proposed levy in November.
The council also approved the EDA levy at $0 for 2026.
Why it matters: Approving a preliminary levy starts the legally required process for property‑tax notices and public hearings. The council said it intends to continue reviewing numbers and that final adjustments could lower the levy before December.
Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the transcript and include the staff presenter and council members who participated in the vote.
