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Marion council adopts $34 million general fund budget for fiscal 2026
Summary
The Marion City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, a largely property-tax supported plan that increases general fund spending by about 2.5% and adds a 9-1-1 communications operator and an events coordinator.
The Marion City Council on April 17 approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, adopting Resolution No. 32358 after a presentation and public hearing.
City staff said the general fund operating budget for FY2026 totals about $34,000,000, a 2.5% increase over the prior year when transfers are excluded. "We do a 0 based budget, which means departments start with $0 and have to justify with transactions every line in their budget," Leanne, a city staff member who presented the plan, told the council.
The presentation said more than 75% of general fund revenue is supported by property tax. Public safety accounts for more than half of general fund spending and the approved budget includes funding for one additional 9-1-1 communications operator to maintain two-person minimum staffing and funding for a full-time events coordinator tied to the Central Plaza project. The property-tax levy cited in the presentation was about $14.90 per $1,000 of taxable value and staff estimated roughly a 3% tax increase for a typical homeowner if assessed values remain constant.
Councilmembers asked staff about the relationship between the levy and the budget. Councilmember questions prompted additional detail from staff about how debt service and planned obligations affect the levy. "That debt service levy does include dollars that will pay off the derecho bond... the interest and the issuance costs that were baked into that bond issue will be paid," a city staff member said, noting FEMA would cover principal tied to the derecho recovery grant.
No members of the public spoke during the budget hearing. After discussion, the council voted to approve Resolution No. 32358 by voice vote; the transcript records the outcome as "Resolution carries" but does not list a roll-call tally.
The council also urged continued public engagement during ongoing budget work sessions this summer as departments and councilmembers review detailed sections of next year’s spending.
