Eureka council adopts tentative budget unchanged from prior year, schedules work session

Eureka — The Eureka City Council voted to adopt a tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 identical to the fiscal 2025 figures and set a working session to review outstanding items, including staffing, code enforcement, and whether to pursue a truth‑in‑taxation process.

Council members said the tentative budget is a statutorily required formality but emphasized the need for a longer, dedicated meeting to analyze revenue options and line‑item changes. The council agreed the tentative budget may be adopted now and amended later; several members recommended a budget work session outside the regular meeting sequence to allow 2–3 hours of focused discussion.

The council scheduled a budget work session for Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. to examine revenues and planned expenditures, including a proposed code‑enforcement program and potential hiring and service contracts. Council members flagged several items for the session: the proposed addition of summer workers and contracted staff, a proposed $1,500 per‑month contract discussed for a specific contractor, reduced building‑inspection revenue, and whether to use truth‑in‑taxation to increase general‑fund revenue. City legal counsel noted that a truth‑in‑taxation decision must be justified with quantifiable reasons when presented to the public.

In a voice vote the council approved the motion to adopt the tentative budget using current fiscal‑year figures. The council asked staff to prepare materials and schedule the May 7 work session.

Ending: Staff was directed to circulate a balanced budget draft and supporting data ahead of the May 7 meeting so council members can come prepared for an extended review.