Middleton council approves budget publication, wastewater financing resolution and multiple development and infrastructure items

The Middleton City Council voted Aug. 6 to publish its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, adopt a resolution to pursue judicial confirmation for financing a planned wastewater treatment plant, approve final plats for the Middleton Commons condominium project and approve related infrastructure and land‑use actions.

The measures approved at the meeting included a $54.78 million FY2026 budget filed for public notice with a 2% cushion for publication, a resolution authorizing pursuit of roughly $78 million in project financing for a new wastewater treatment plant, final plats for phases 1 and 2 of the Middleton Commons condominium subdivision, and authorization of a preliminary design task order for Main Street sidewalk improvements. The council also approved an appointment to the Middleton Urban Renewal Agency and granted an easement to Idaho Power to serve proposed high‑school soccer field lighting.

Why it matters: the wastewater financing resolution starts a judicial confirmation step needed to place borrowing authority and related revenue measures before a district court and, if successful, unlocks the bulk of funding for the new treatment plant. The budget and the capital projects described at the meeting set the city's spending priorities for the next year, including city hall remodeling funds, transportation and water and sewer capital programs.

Council action and key votes

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes July 16; ratify payroll July 25; approve accounts payable July 25): approved by voice vote. - Middleton Urban Renewal Agency appointment: approved the mayor's reappointment of Carrie Huggins to the Middleton Urban Renewal Agency for a term from Sept. 15, 2025, to Sept. 15, 2030; voice vote carried. - Middleton Commons condominium subdivision, Final Plat Phase 1: approved by voice vote. - Middleton Commons condominium subdivision, Final Plat Phase 2: approved by voice vote. - RES 525‑25 (wastewater financing/judicial confirmation): adopted; voice vote carried. City staff described the financing package as approximately $78,000,000 to complete the project. - Ordinance 712 (council salaries): the council waived three readings and adopted Ordinance 712 to set monthly council salaries at $1,033.33; a roll call recorded affirmative votes from President Giser, Councilman O'Meara, Councilman Chris Jansen and Councilman Mertz. - Proposed FY2026 budget (publication with 2% increase for notice): approved for publication prior to the council's Aug. 20 public hearing; voice vote carried. - Task order with Keller & Associates for Main Street sidewalk preliminary design: authorized not to exceed $34,705; voice vote carried. - Easement to Idaho Power across Well No. 9 site for power to Middleton High School soccer field lights: authorized; voice vote carried.

What council members discussed

Budget and city hall: Finance staff said two changes were added since an earlier presentation: (1) replacement of servers for the police department and city hall IT systems, and (2) redirecting previously saved funds toward remodeling the existing city hall. Staff said roughly $301,000 in savings were being reallocated to capital for a remodel. Council members debated whether to spend the saved funds on…