Genola council adopts amended FY2025 budget, approves FY2026 budget and accepts certified tax rate

The Genola Town Council approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget (Resolution 2025-10), which includes a small adjustment to the fire department wages. Council members agreed to move $3,000 from the projected fund balance into the fire wages line to cover anticipated payroll overrun before fiscal year-end.

Lucinda (staff member) and Chief Hurst discussed year-to-date expenditures for the fire department and confirmed the department’s higher-than-expected run volume had driven the increased wage expenditure. Lucinda explained the town pays volunteer fire wages quarterly and the quarter-end payment schedule contributed to a short-term budget shortfall; the council moved to reduce the amount going into the fund balance by $3,000 and apply that to wages.

The council then approved the FY2026 budget (Resolution 2025-11). Council discussion noted the proposed new public works building design money is included in capital outlays split among parks, roads and water and that water operations remain a separate utility fund. Members asked for priority-setting on capital items (for example, paving at the fire station) but did not change the proposed FY2026 allocations.

Finally the council accepted the certified tax rate of 0.000949 by approving Resolution 2025-12. Staff explained the certified rate reflects growth-driven automatic adjustments and, given statutory timelines, the council had no substantive alternative action at this meeting.