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Lewiston council adopts FY2026 appropriation ordinance after amendments; debate centers on police staffing, Valley Vision funding and fleet replacements
Summary
Council passed Ordinance 49‑50 (the 2026 appropriation ordinance) following an amendment to increase a service contract for Valley Vision and extended discussion about adding three police officers, patrol vehicles, and replacement street sweepers. A proposal to cut police funding failed.
The Lewiston City Council on Monday approved the second reading of Ordinance 49‑50, the city’s FY2026 annual appropriation ordinance, after approving an amendment that increases funding for Valley Vision and after extended debate over police staffing and fleet replacements.
Councilor Spickelmeyer moved — and Councilor Wright seconded — an amendment to raise the Valley Vision service contract from $40,000 to $50,000 for FY2026, with the additional $10,000 to come from the council’s contingency fund. City attorney Jennifer Tingano and bond advisor Christie Stoll clarified that changes would be reflected when council votes on individual service contracts; Treasurer Amy Gordon explained the contingency funds and service-contract line items and said the amendment would allow staff to consider a $50,000 contract when the service contracts are considered later.
The Valley Vision amendment passed on a voice vote.
Councilors then debated a larger slate of personnel and capital items proposed in the budget. Police staffing and overtime were the most contested items. Police leadership described a long-term plan to add up to 11 officers over time, reorganize supervisory ranks and add three lieutenants to reach staffing nearer national averages. The police chief said current coverage leaves a minimum of three officers on the overnight shift and that shortages have driven overtime, staff burnout and operational stress. He said adding officers would improve resiliency and reduce overtime demands.
Councilor Klein moved to reduce the police protection appropriation from $10,388,450 to $10,101,980; that motion was seconded by Council President Klieberg. Multiple councilors, including Wright, Spickelmeyer and Schroeder, spoke in favor of funding more officers to reduce burnout and maintain service levels. The reduction motion failed on a recorded voice vote (motion failed).
Councilors also questioned capital-vehicle replacements in the fleet budget. Treasurer Amy Gordon explained that two street sweepers are due for replacement based on usage and hours and that the estimated replacement costs reflect lead times and recent supplier price increases. Patrol SUVs follow a five- to six-year replacement schedule given heavy idle time and equipment load.
After considering other minor amendments and questions, the council approved the second reading of Ordinance 49‑50 by voice vote. The ordinance creates sums of money for general and special municipal purposes for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026.
Votes and actions: The Valley Vision amendment (increase to $50,000) was moved by Councilor Spickelmeyer, seconded by Councilor Wright, and approved. A motion by Councilor Klein to cut the police protection line item failed. The main motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 49‑50 then passed.
