Beresford council previews 2026 budget with $211,328 cut to general fund
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Summary
Council reviewed the preliminary 2026 general fund budget, which shows a $211,328 decrease from 2025. Staff outlined departmental changes, a timetable for ordinance readings and a number of proposed capital purchases that will be vetted before the November readings.
Beresford City Council held a preliminary review of the 2026 budget, with staff reporting an overall $211,328 reduction in the general fund compared with the 2025 budget. The council set a schedule for formal consideration: a first reading planned for Nov. 3, a second reading on Nov. 17, publication Nov. 26 and an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.
City staff presented a line-by-line comparison between the two years. The legislative category (council and mayor) rises by about $63,636, public safety (police and fire) by roughly $28,154, while highways, streets and mosquito control are down about $200,758 and culture and recreation (parks, pool and libraries) are down about $98,840. Staff emphasized that some changes reflect one-time items in 2025, such as completed building projects, while others are recurring cost adjustments.
Department-level requests discussed included: a $20,000 strategic initiatives line for planning and grant support; modest increases in finance and administrative lines to cover audits and equipment; police requests to outfit a new patrol vehicle and add training; and purchases proposed by streets and parks staff (discussed in separate agenda items). Staff said some proposed line items may not be fully spent and that several capital requests require vendor quotes or additional committee review before final decisions.
Council members asked for clarifying figures and directed staff to return with any outstanding quotes and a refined enterprise-to-general-fund transfer plan. The council’s procedural motion to adopt the meeting agenda earlier in the session was carried, and the council agreed to proceed with a first reading of the budget ordinance on Nov. 3.
The budget remains under review; staff and department heads will supply further cost detail on large-ticket items (e.g., SCADA replacement, substation battery and major equipment swaps) before the November readings.
