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Bowling Green presents $190.1 million FY2026 budget in first reading
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Summary
City staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget at first reading June 3, 2025, calling for a $116.9 million general fund balanced budget, 22 new full‑time positions and a $27.1 million capital improvement plan.
City of Bowling Green officials presented the city manager’s recommended fiscal year 2026 budget at a first reading of the annual ordinance during the Board of Commissioners meeting June 3, 2025 at City Hall.
The recommended all‑funds revenue budget is $188.7 million and the expenditure budget is $190.1 million, a 7.8% increase from FY2025. The recommended general fund totals $116.9 million and the presentation states the general fund budget is balanced without drawing on fund balance. City staff said roughly $1.4 million of previously saved capital and fleet funds would be used to balance all funds.
The budget presentation was given by Katie Shaler Ward of the budget team. Ward said the document reflects priorities in the city’s 2022 strategic plan and highlighted pillars including strong neighborhoods, transportation, downtown development, riverfront and greenways, and housing. The recommended capital improvement plan totals $27.1 million for 36 projects covering community livability, municipal facilities and equipment, technology, and traffic and roads.
City Manager Meisel said the budget is the product of a large cross‑departmental effort and thanked roughly 75 to 80 people who worked on it. Meisel also noted that department heads and the budget team reviewed position budgets and that the budget team coordinated the final recommendations.
Key budget figures presented by staff: - All funds revenue: $188.7 million (up 8.7% over FY25 adopted) - All funds expenditures: $190.1 million (up 7.8%) - General fund: $116.9 million (up 8.9%) - Capital improvement plan: $27.1 million across 36 projects - Personnel: COLA of 2.9%; 22 new full‑time positions and 7 reclassifications (staff said roughly half of the new positions are in public safety) - Total full‑time workforce proposed: 589 (901 total positions including part time)
Ward said the two largest general fund revenue sources are occupational fees (about $84.9 million) and property taxes (about $23.9 million). In a question from a commissioner about property valuations, Ward and Meisel said staff used the PVA’s initial recap of values supplied to finance in March to build the budget and emphasized the city does not control property assessment values.
Commissioners praised capital investments and service items highlighted in the presentation, including additional turf soccer fields, transit shelters, continued investments in parks and riverfront development (including a $4 million whitewater amenity described in the presentation), and investments in public safety staffing and training. Multiple commissioners expressed support for the recommended budget at first reading.
The board conducted the roll call vote for first reading as required; the ordinance advanced on first reading. The budget ordinance will return for second reading and final adoption at a later meeting.
Votes and procedural note: The budget ordinance was presented as a first reading (nonbinding). Staff requested the second reading on June 17, 2025.
