Loudon City Council adopts budget, sets tax rate and approves multiple ordinances, contracts and surplus declarations

The Loudon City Council on May 20 adopted an annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, set the city's 2025 property tax rate as described in the meeting as "dollar 19 for $100 of assessed value" (unchanged from 2024), and approved a series of ordinances, contracts and surplus declarations.

The council approved the FY 2025'26 budget after a roll-call vote that produced four votes in favor and one opposed. During discussion the council noted the adopted budget left the city with what was described in the meeting as about an $800,000 budget shortfall; a council member urged pausing to identify funding before committing to new spending.

Council members also approved an ordinance on second reading to revise the municipal procurement policy and an ordinance on second reading amending personnel rules and regulations to reduce the minimum time in position for employees transferring to another position to six months. The council also advanced on first reading amendments to pay rules to align with 12-hour police shifts.

The council authorized two downtown-related contracts contained in the meeting packet: one contract for downtown master plan consulting services and a…