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Council advances 2025 budget revision and moves 2026 budget to second reading
Summary
Council approved the first reading of a 2025 budget revision to account for project transfers and carried the 2026 budget appropriation ordinance to a second reading after department presentations highlighting major capital projects, including a wastewater treatment plant and water plant work.
City finance staff presented a first budget revision for 2025 that transfers funds to project accounts and corrects earlier line estimates, and the council advanced those revisions on first reading. The council also advanced the proposed 2026 budget to a second reading.
Staff described the 2025 revision (ordinance 15‑39) as adjustments to general fund and special funds driven by project timing and transfers. Notable changes included moving funds into a TIF‑8 project fund for demolition/abatement at a school site and carrying STIP reserve funds into street construction (Carr Street). The general fund appropriations in the ordinance increased to reflect those transfers; staff recommended advancing the revision to a second reading for final adoption.
On the proposed 2026 appropriation (ordinance 15‑40), staff summarized revenue assumptions including property‑tax growth tied to state statute and the closure of a tax‑increment financing district, a 3% sales‑tax assumption, and planned utility adjustments to support large capital projects. The 2026 budget includes multi‑year capital projects the council will address in the coming months, notably a proposed roughly $20.8 million wastewater treatment plant replacement and water‑treatment plant work pending bids. Staff also recommended modest cost‑of‑living adjustments and step increases for employees and included planned utility rate adjustments tied to the wastewater project.
Councilors asked questions about timing and project funding; motions to advance both the 2025 budget revision and the 2026 appropriation ordinance passed on first reading and will return for final action at a subsequent meeting.
