Seminole council adopts FY2025-26 consolidated budget, delays planned staff cut

The Seminole City Council adopted the cityconsolidated fiscal-year 2025to 2026 budget and directed staff not to carry out an immediate reduction in force for a currently employed position that had been proposed as a budget saving.

City staff presented the budget as built around the assumption that voters will approve a one-eighth-cent sales tax in July to help pay for the sewer plant. The presenter said the general fund revenues are projected at $15,834,415 with appropriations of $15,605,003.37, producing a projected excess of roughly $229,000; beginning general fund balance was stated as $1,675,000 with an estimated ending balance of $1,904,004.33. Water and sewer fund projections were listed with total revenues of $13,671,008.42 and appropriations of $13,460,730.

Council members raised questions about personnel changes included as part of the financing plan for the sewer project. Staff explained that one position described in the packet as a "floater" and the recently retired Curtis Mooney's position would not be replaced under the proposed budget, saving roughly $80,000 in that department. Several councilmembers and public commenters urged preserving the job of a specific currently employed staff member; in response the council approved the consolidated budget with a modification that no current employee would be immediately laid off as part of this budget action.

The adoption included administrative directions: staff must submit the final budget to the state by the statutory deadline (referenced as June 21) and will monitor actual revenues and return to the council with proposed modifications if receipts differ from projections. The motion to adopt the budget with the modification passed by roll call.

Ending: Councilmembers and staff noted the city is operating on tight margins and that further adjustments may be required later in the fiscal year depending on revenue performance and the outcome of the July sales-tax vote.