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Blythewood council approves FY2025–26 budget on first reading after amendments; hospitality event funding reduced
Summary
Council adopted first reading of the FY2025–26 budget ordinance with amendments after contentious debate over town events, capital transfers and several line‑item changes; vote passed 4–1.
The Town of Blythewood Town Council approved first reading of the fiscal year 2025–26 budget ordinance (Ordinance 2025.005) after adopting several amendments on revenue allocations and line items, including reductions to town event spending and adjustments to manor and council expense estimates.
Why it mattered: Council debated a wide range of budget items — from tourism and town events paid from hospitality tax revenue to capital fund transfers and specific Manor operating items. The hospitality/tourism fund and proposed funding for town events drew prolonged discussion after council had previously paused large public events pending a security plan.
Key amendments and figures discussed on the record: Staff explained a $30,000 increase in collected business license revenue tied to a new category; the town will record the gross revenue and an offsetting 50% expense to the vendor that remits part of that fee. Council added a $20,000 professional development/travel and training line for staff, and members discussed capital improvement fund balances and a $40,000 placeholder interest entry in the CIP. For the Manor, council discussed quotes for HVAC replacement (separate agenda item) and a rental income projection of $24,000 was inserted into the general fund revenue estimate. Councilmember McKendrick proposed several friendly amendments including increasing the council rental expense appropriation to $24,000 and adjusting Manor improvement amounts.
Events and hospitality tax: Council debated whether to reinstate funding for recurring town events (movies in the park, Fourth of July, Juneteenth, etc.). After public safety concerns and requests for security cost detail, council amended the hospitality/tourism-related events allocation to 0 for now and directed staff to hold those dollars in the tourism line item (to be reconsidered once security plans and cost estimates are provided). Several council members said they preferred funds be held as a contingency or restricted until detailed security costs and fencing/camera proposals were ready.
Vote and next steps: On the motion as amended (including the hospitality/events change and other line‑item adjustments), the ordinance passed first reading on a 4–1 roll call (Councilwoman Page, Councilman Brock, Councilwoman Fritz, Councilman McKendrick voted yes; Mayor Griffin voted no). The council scheduled additional follow‑up work and directed staff to circulate revised budget materials before the May 29 special meeting and ahead of second reading.
Ending: Council directed staff to prepare the technical amendments reflecting the evening27s changes and to circulate the revised packet to the public and council members before the May 29 session; second reading will include any further corrections.
