Copperton council adopts FY2026 budget, updates fee schedule and engineering standards; approves routine expenditures

Copperton council adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget and approved three ordinances during its May 21 regular meeting, council members said. The council also approved consent items including meeting minutes and an April attorney invoice.

The council voted to adopt a FY2026 budget that projects $282,347 in revenues and $525,008.47 in expenditures for the town government. The Greater Municipal Services District (MSD) will provide a $243,500 contribution to cover the gap between projected revenues and planned spending. Town staff presented the revenue and expenditure line items during the public hearing; no members of the public asked for changes and the council approved the budget at the meeting.

Council members also approved three ordinances: one clarifying when developers must install or upgrade public infrastructure related to new development (ordinance 2025-o-02); a second adopting the town’s FY2026 fee schedule, which updates building valuation tables and creates separate fees for simple vs. full boundary line adjustments (ordinance 2025-o-03); and a third adopting updated engineering standards and specifications for public infrastructure and private development plans (ordinance 2025-o-04).

Town staff said the fee-schedule update is intended to be revenue-neutral and to reflect recent state law changes (for example, separation of boundary-line-adjustment types). Council member Nathan, who presented the infrastructure-exaction ordinance, said the measure seeks to clarify what improvements a property owner must provide when they develop a parcel so the town’s expectations match limitations under state law.

On the fee schedule vote the council conducted a roll call. The council recorded four votes in favor and one abstention: Council member Kathleen Bailey — yes; Kevin Severson — yes; Linda McCollum — yes; Tessa Sitzer — abstain; Sean Clayton — yes. The ordinance passed. Other ordinance votes were taken by voice and recorded as approved by the council.

The council also approved the consent agenda items: minutes for the March 19 and April 16 meetings and an attorney invoice for $9,147 for legal services rendered in April and part of May.

The budget and the ordinances take effect as provided by town procedures; staff will forward the adopted budget to the MSD for its records and post the final materials to the town’s public sites.

(See "Votes at a glance" list below for formal actions and vote details.)

Votes at a glance - Approval of meeting minutes (March 19, April 16): motion carried by voice vote; outcome: approved. - Approval of attorney invoice: $9,147 for legal services (April–May): motion carried by voice vote; outcome: approved. - Adoption of FY2026 budget as presented: motion carried by voice vote; outcome: approved. Revenue total shown in the staff presentation: $282,347. Expenditures shown: $525,008.47. MSD contribution: $243,500. - Ordinance 2025-o-02 (clarify developer public-improvement/exaction rules, subsection 19.46.0.14): motion carried by voice vote; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-o-03 (Town of Copperton FY2026 fee schedule): roll-call vote — Kathleen Bailey: yes; Kevin Severson: yes; Linda McCollum: yes; Tessa Sitzer: abstain; Sean Clayton: yes — outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-o-04 (adopt Copperton engineering standards/specifications): motion carried by voice vote; outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The budget and fee changes set the town’s spending priorities for the next fiscal year, add or adjust user fees tied to development and inspections, and adopt engineering standards that affect how public and private infrastructure projects are designed and repaired.