Jackson City budget workshop examines options to cover roughly $3.5 million capital shortfall

Budget staff told the Jackson City Council at a budget workshop that the city’s general fund shows a modest surplus while the capital fund faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall, prompting discussion of fee increases, a property tax change or limited use of fund balance.

Budget staff said the general fund is about $399,000 in surplus after recent adjustments, including the late discovery of an additional $100,000 and the inclusion of part‑time and temporary positions. Staff also reported that once part‑time and temporary positions were included the personnel total rose by roughly $1.8 million.

Council members and staff focused on the capital fund gap, which staff described as roughly $3 million to $3.5 million under the current workshop column. Staff noted a roughly $2.8 million surplus in debt‑service where some revenue is already earmarked for financing and described bond program totals and identified capital purchases since the last adopted budget. The 2025 revised capital outlay number shown in the packet was $7.14 million; the 2026 “workshops” column under discussion showed $5.395 million.

Why it matters: the capital shortfall means the council must choose whether to transfer money from the city’s fund balance, cut capital projects, or raise…