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Council raises concerns about rising levy, sheriff contract and options to limit 2026 tax increase
Summary
Council members discussed continuing levy increases, the rising cost of the sheriff contract (about $1 million annually) and possible options — including intergovernmental negotiations, partnering with another city, or other measures — to reduce the impact on the 2026 levy; no decision was made.
Council members discussed budget pressures at length on June 30, focusing on rising property tax levies and an expected increase in the sheriff’s contract.
The mayor and council said the city currently pays roughly $1 million a year for sheriff services and that the sheriff's office has requested an additional roughly $100,000. Council members stressed they do not want another double‑digit levy increase for 2026 and asked department heads and staff to look for savings while recognizing statutory and contract obligations.
Options discussed included accepting the higher contract cost, attempting to end or renegotiate the contract, exploring a joint arrangement with another municipality, or building the city’s own police capacity. Council members said each option has tradeoffs and no immediate decision was made.
Other budget pressures noted included planned capital projects (fire station/city hall bond payments), staffing costs and upcoming state mandates such as paid‑leave requirements that will affect municipal budgets in 2026. Council members asked staff and the finance consultant to continue preliminary budget work and to return with scenarios that limit the levy impact.
No formal motion was taken; the discussion was preparatory to formal 2026 budget deliberations.
