Kuna Council adopts $2026 fiscal year budget, reserves $48,200 in foregone property tax

Kuna City Council on July 29 approved the city’s annual appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026, and voted to reserve $48,200 in foregone property tax for future use.

The budget ordinance, described by city staff as the product of six months of work with department directors, passed on the council vote with Council Members McPherson, Biggs and Laraway voting yes and Council President Bruce voting no. A separate resolution to reserve the foregone property tax passed by voice vote.

The budget covers city operations including police, parks maintenance, drinking water, wastewater treatment and irrigation services for what city staff said were nearly 35,000 residents and more than 11,800 utility customers. "What you see before you is a good faith effort to estimate future revenues and expenses more than a year in advance," said Jared, city treasurer, presenting the proposal. Jared told council members the budget was built on three principles: fiscal conservatism, interperiod equity and long-term planning, and he cited Idaho statute authorizing set-asides for future operations.

At the public hearing, resident Michael Rocco praised the balanced approach but urged clearer reserve policies and a formal five- to 10-year infrastructure plan. "Much of this budget relies on carryover cash from prior years," Rocco said, and recommended quarterly public budget updates so residents can track spending. Another speaker, Dave Splatt, criticized the city’s spending priorities and questioned use of grant versus local funds for downtown improvements.

Council discussion focused on reserve levels and capital needs. One council member said they had hoped not to take a property tax increase and asked whether some reserves could be returned to taxpayers. Jared responded that the 1% foregone amount in question came to $48,200 and that some large capital items — including a major lift station replacement and Mason Creek sewer work — are multi‑million‑dollar projects that justify higher reserves in the near term.

The council also agreed to improve public outreach and to consider separate director-level budget presentations in future meetings so members can review departmental requests in more detail.

Votes at the meeting: the ordinance titled the annual appropriation ordinance for fiscal year 2025–26 (Ordinance 2025-25) was approved on a roll call with three yes votes and one no vote from Council President Bruce; the council then approved Resolution R51-2025 to reserve foregone property tax (voice vote). The council approved the ordinance’s summary publication as required by state law.

The budget ordinance directs the city to levy a sufficient property tax and requires filing a certified copy with the Idaho Secretary of State, the Ada County Clerk and the Idaho State Tax Commission. The treasurer and mayor told the council that continuing rapid growth makes long-term capital planning and conservative revenue estimates necessary.