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Willard staff outline FY26 budget; proposes use of Class C funds for 600 South project
Summary
City staff presented fund balances and a draft FY26 budget showing a $1.1 million capital projects fund, restricted Class C road funds of about $228,000 and proposed spending on the 600 South reconstruction; staffing additions include one new full‑time police officer.
City staff reviewed draft FY26 budget figures with the Willard City Council, presenting current fund balances and proposed adjustments for projects, staffing and fees.
Staff said the capital projects fund holds about $1.1 million unrestricted. The Class C roads restricted fund balance was reported at about $228,000 as of March 31, and staff proposed using $140,000 of restricted Class C funds toward the 600 South reconstruction this year. Staff also noted an additional $613,000 identified in the fiscal year that currently does not have a designated project.
Staff presented the general fund figures: an unrestricted fund balance of $513,000 (about 23% of revenues) and a recommended target near 25% of revenues. The presentation proposes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and a department‑level merit pool averaging up to 2%. The budget includes one additional full‑time police officer, with staff estimating the officer (salary plus benefits) at about $113,000.
Staff also noted the elimination of a mass transit pass‑through item that was previously a wash on the general fund; removal of the $215,000 pass‑through reduces both revenue and the corresponding expense line. Road tax of about $150,000 and Class C revenue of $185,000 were highlighted as dedicated sources for street projects. For balancing the presented general fund budget, staff said the council would need to authorize an additional $238,000 in property tax revenue via Truth in Taxation to fully fund the officer and ambulance-related transfers if no alternative revenues are found.
Council members asked for clarification about timing and accounting for projects that had been invoiced late in the prior year and about maintaining a reserve for emergency road repairs. Staff advised that spending the full Class C balance on a single project would materially reduce the city’s restricted reserves and recommended confirming timing before committing all funds.
Next steps included clarifying which amounts are encumbered by prior invoicing, finalizing any transfers (for example, a $25,000 transfer from general fund to the ambulance fund was presented), and returning with any adjustments before the council adopts the FY26 budget.
