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Kanarraville board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget, schedules public hearing; discussion centers on fire station and EMS changes
Summary
The town approved a preliminary 2025–26 budget and set a public hearing for June 11, 2025. Discussion included potential municipal investment in a fire station and uncertainty about a countywide fire district and EMS provider changes. The board also approved routine monthly expenditures and minutes in separate roll calls.
The Kanarraville Town Board voted to adopt a preliminary budget for fiscal 2025–26 and set a public hearing to approve the final budget on June 11, 2025. The board also approved routine motions including the April monthly expenditures and the April 10 meeting minutes.
During a lengthy budget discussion on May 8, board members described planning to pursue a town fire station as part of long‑range capital planning. Town staff said a potential loan could be sought after the town’s annual audit is complete; staff suggested targeting a loan for roughly $500,000 to $1.2 million (town estimates discussed informally) and paying it down quickly so the facility could serve as an asset that the prospective county fire district might lease or use. The board discussed uncertainty around countywide changes to EMS provisioning — the possibility that regional ambulance services (like Gold Cross) could relocate — and said those developments make it prudent to be prepared with a facility and possible lease arrangements.
Town managers also reviewed department budgets. The board discussed using existing capital funds, potential loan options and timing: staff proposed initiating bank discussions after the audit and potentially adding capital project debt into the 2026 budget cycle.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the monthly expenditures for April. Motion made from the floor; second stated. Vote recorded as 'Aye'; individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript. Outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve the April 10, 2025 Town Board minutes. Motion seconded; voice vote recorded as 'Aye.' Outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve the preliminary 2025–26 budget and to set a public hearing for June 11, 2025. The board voted to approve the preliminary budget and set the hearing date; the vote was recorded by voice as 'Aye.' Outcome: approved. Town staff said final budget amendments and the certified tax rate will be considered at the June public hearing.
No closed session was held. Board members directed staff to prepare bank documentation and to present final augmentations and any proposed staffing wage changes at the June meeting before final adoption.
The board discussed proposed wage increases for town employees (managers recommended $1 for managers and $0.50 for other employees) and several capital priorities including conduit and cemetery work, a possible fire station plan, and other equipment needs; the items will be refined before the June public hearing.
