Hooper Council approves amended 2024 budget, 2025 budget and pay increases; sets certified tax rate

Hooper — The Hooper City Council approved amendments to the fiscal 2024 budget, adopted the fiscal 2025 budget, set the certified tax rate and approved increases to stipends for elected and statutory officers during its June meeting following a public hearing and debate.

The council voted to amend the 2024–25 budget to reflect expenses and revenue changes that staff presented, approved the city's 2025–26 budget, adopted the certified tax rate the state provided (0.00028 percent) and approved a proposal to increase monthly pay for council members and other statutory officers. Several council members expressed concern about unexpected expenditures earlier in the year and asked for additional financial transparency measures.

City finance staff presented the proposed changes and amounts before the public hearing. Staff said general-fund revenues are about $4,115,000 and noted several specific adjustments: a proposed option to transfer up to $700,000 from the general fund to the capital projects fund (in addition to a currently budgeted transfer of $429,478), increases to select fee revenues (for example, cemetery lot fees), and line-item reorganizations to separate training and other expenses for clarity.

During discussion the council and staff reviewed enterprise-fund changes included in the amendment. Staff said the sewer fund showed total income of about $2,000,271 and that proposed operating expenditures and capital needs would produce a projected decrease in the sewer fund balance; staff recommended a $2 increase in the city's sewer charge (from $46 to $48) to help cover costs. For the garbage fund staff said proposed fee increases would raise the base garbage fee from $13.50 to $15.50, the additional-plan fee from $9.00 to $10.50 and recycling from $7.50 to $9.00.

Council members pressed staff on when a planned 50 West street project would be added to the capital budget; staff said the project had not been included because the council asked staff to return with firm costs before budgeting it. Staff referenced a previously provided estimate near $753,249 as one of several figures under discussion.

Public commenters during the hearing urged both cuts and investments: some residents called for internal audits and stricter budget oversight; others argued the city needs to invest in public works and economic development as Hooper grows.

Votes at a glance - Resolution R2025-1 (amend FY2024 budget): passed (roll-call; majority in favor; one recorded no vote). - Certified tax rate (0.00028): adopted (roll-call; majority in favor). - Wage increases for elected and statutory officers (monthly adjustments for council, mayor and planning commission): approved (motion carried). - Resolution R2025-3 (adopt FY2025–26 budget): approved (roll-call; majority in favor).

Council members said they will place additional transparency items on a future meeting agenda, including a possible change to who signs checks, and asked staff to return with firm project costs before budget amendments for those projects.

The council moved to adjourn after the votes; several members thanked staff for the work involved in producing detailed budget lines and noted the city's ongoing challenge balancing growth, services and limited staff capacity.

Ending: The council scheduled additional procedural follow-ups for the July meeting; staff said amendments to transfers or to add specific capital projects can be handled once exact project costs are known.