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El Mirage council adopts consolidated fee schedule and tentatively approves FY2026 budget; fee vote tied to water rate action
Summary
Council adopted a consolidated fee schedule that implements the newly adopted utility rates and moved forward the city’s tentative FY2026 budget. Both actions were approved after debate: the fee schedule passed 4–3 and the tentative budget was adopted 5–2.
The El Mirage Common Council on May 6 adopted a consolidated fee schedule (Resolution R25-55) that incorporates the utility rates approved earlier in the meeting and adopted a tentative FY2026 budget (Resolution R25-506).
Staff told the council the consolidated fee schedule includes the utility rates just approved by the council and other miscellaneous fees and service charges. City staff noted the fee schedule also consolidates some Fire Department fee categories for clarity. The council approved the fee schedule by a 4–3 vote.
Later in the meeting the council adopted the city’s estimated expenditures and revenues (tentative budget) for fiscal year 2026. Staff presentations said the overall budget is about 2% smaller than FY2025 and listed personnel and capital changes: 235.8 full-time equivalent positions, a 2.3% cost-of-living adjustment for non‑MOU employees, a 3% average merit increase for non‑MOU employees, and a carryforward of capital projects and special projects. Staff noted the irrigation fund would be rolled into the water fund and the Dysart streets project was complete.
The tentative budget passed the council 5–2. Staff said final property‑tax figures and the final budget would return in June, and transfers and revenue forecasts would be updated before final adoption.
Council members asked for clarity on the budget format and noted this year’s object-code changes required a 0‑based presentation for FY2026; staff explained the change and said future budgets will use a hybrid approach to improve comparability. Council also asked staff to clarify transfers in and out and to provide more readable budget materials so residents can trace revenue flows and transfers.
Votes and next steps: Resolution R25-55 and the tentative budget resolution R25-506 were adopted; staff will bring the final budget and property‑tax hearing back to the council in May/June with updated transfer accounting and any technical adjustments.
