Perry City Council acknowledges receipt of tentative FY2025–26 budget

The Perry City Council on Thursday acknowledged receipt of the city's tentative fiscal year 2025'26 budget following a presentation by finance staff, and voted unanimously to accept the document for public review.

Finance staff member Shanna Johnson presented the overview, saying the general fund budget being proposed is $5,858,165, about a 0.5% increase from the prior year. Johnson told the council the tentative budget includes no proposed tax increase and that council members may revise the budget before final approval. The council set a schedule that includes department presentations in April and May, a public hearing on the tentative budget planned for the last meeting in May, and a final approval date in June; council members were told they could still introduce a tax increase later in the process if they chose (an August deadline applies for tax changes).

During her overview Johnson highlighted several capital items included in the tentative budget: $1 million proposed for street and road repair (the street line increased by $314,300), a landscaping project for city hall with a low bid reported at roughly $551,000 (Johnson said about $314,000 of that would be covered by an existing grant and $236,681 would come from general funds), recurring capital set‑asides for the 1200 West project and parks equipment, and ongoing funding for public works facility improvements. She also described changes to enterprise funds: splitting the former single utility enterprise into separate water, storm drain, garbage and sewer funds, and a fleet lease fund to track vehicle lease amortization.

Councilmember Dave Walker moved to accept receipt of the tentative budget; a second was made (speaker not recorded). A roll call vote was taken; Councilmembers Young, Walker, Osler, Wright and Tueller voted yes. The mayor declared the motion unanimous.

The acknowledgement is a procedural step that places the tentative budget on the public record and begins a review period in which council members and staff will present department budgets and consider adjustments before final adoption.

What happens next: staff will continue department presentations at upcoming meetings; Zach (utilities) and other department heads were scheduled to present more detailed budgets at subsequent meetings. The tentative budget packet and state budget forms are available on the city website for public review, Johnson said.