Lennox holds public hearing on proposed 2026 budget; council debates police staffing, ambulance and pool funding

The Lennox City Council on Oct. 27 held a public hearing on the draft fiscal 2026 budget, hearing public comment and questions from council members about growth assumptions, police staffing and funding for ambulance and the municipal pool.

City Administrator Nate opened the hearing with an overview of the budget package and said the session was intended to surface feedback that could be incorporated before the first reading of the appropriations ordinance on Nov. 10. "Our goal tonight is to hear feedback from public and city council on this preferred budget," he said.

Why it matters: The proposed budget forecasts modest revenue growth but expects to apply reserves to cover an operating shortfall, and it anticipates near-term policy decisions on public safety staffing and capital purchases. Final revisions are due Nov. 3; the council will consider the ordinance on Nov. 10 and, if needed, a second reading Nov. 24.

Most important figures in the draft include an overall revenue increase of about 7%, projected property-tax revenue growth of about 5.5% and sales-tax growth of roughly 2.5%. The budget uses fund accounting across a dozen funds and proposes drawing roughly $550,000 from reserves to cover a planned net loss in 2026. The draft also budgets transfers of about $133,000 to the ambulance fund and $158,000 to the municipal pool fund.

Public comment and data concerns Mitch Mark, a resident of 3098 Sixth Street, urged the council to be conservative about the population and housing growth assumptions used to build revenue projections. Referring to the draft, he said the report's assertion that "Lennox has grown at a delivery rate of 2 to 3% annually" did not match his review of local data and census estimates. He recommended planning on roughly 1% annual growth with occasional years at 1.4%, rather than 2–3%.

Police staffing and the school resource officer Police staffing drove sustained discussion among council members and staff. The draft removes two full-time patrol officer positions from the original request but adds a school resource officer (SRO) to begin midyear under a cost-share arrangement: the city would fund 40% of the position and the school district would fund 60%. Councilmembers asked about scheduling and coverage. Chief Keith Erickson said the SRO would be a full-time position during school months and would be incorporated into patrol rotations during summer breaks, adding that the contract draft requires the SRO to assist the police department for major incidents and return to school duties when practicable.

Erickson and others stressed operational strain when only one officer is on duty. "Every time one of my officers makes an arrest, they're gone from the town for roughly an hour and a half to two hours," he said, adding that single-officer coverage can leave the town without an officer while suspects are processed. The chief said the department can make current staffing work but warned of increased court time, drug and assault investigations and the risk to response capacity, and reiterated that the staffing question should be revisited in 2026 if revenues improve.

Ambulance, equipment and capital purchases The draft budgets a planned loss in the ambulance fund of about $133,000 for 2026. Staff outlined a plan to remount the existing ambulance box onto a new chassis at an estimated cost of about $175,000 rather than buy a fully new ambulance (a new rig currently runs about $375,000–$385,000). The budget also includes capital purchases in 2026: approximately one new ambulance (remount), two police vehicles (one routine replacement, one for the SRO), a half-ton streets truck, and other streets equipment. Staff said some surplus equipment will be available for trade or sale but that grant support for ambulances is limited.

Swimming pool and recreation The pool fund (Fund 614) is projected to have a modest revenue increase driven by higher membership and lesson fees, partly because the parks and recreation director's compensation is now included in the budget. Wages for pool staff are up; the fund is projected to run a loss of roughly $65,500 covered by second- and third-penny sales-tax transfers. Staff said they are studying staffing models used by other area pools to reduce operating costs.

Streets, street lighting and other departments Street lighting costs are projected to rise significantly — staff cited an anticipated 16% increase in Excel Energy rates and a budget line of about $67,280 for street lighting in 2026. Staff also noted continued modest increases in public-safety wages, legal fees and maintenance costs. The water and sewer enterprise funds were budgeted without rate increases for 2026, in part because interest income and reserve balances are currently robust; staff cautioned changes to those assumptions could require a supplemental budget or later rate action.

Next steps Staff will accept recommended changes through Nov. 3, prepare the first reading of the appropriations ordinance for the Nov. 10 council meeting and return the item for final action Nov. 24 if no additional public or council changes are requested. Department heads were present throughout the discussion and will supply follow-up details as requested.

Ending No final action was taken on the budget at the Oct. 27 hearing; the item remains before the council for formal readings and possible amendment in November.