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Seven Hills administration presents 2026 budget; Broadview Road and capital seed funds highlighted
Summary
Finance Director Frank presented the proposed 2026 budget: general fund $14.18 million (2% over 2025) and all-funds about $27.66 million (8% over 2025), driven by capital projects including a proposed $1.5 million Broadview Road allocation, capital placeholders for sewer and storm repairs, and a $400,000-encumbered ambulance expected in 2026.
Finance Director Frank presented the Seven Hills proposed 2026 budget in committee, saying the general fund totals $14,180,000 (about 2% more than 2025) and the city's all-funds budget is about $27,657,000 (roughly 8% over 2025), with much of the increase tied to planned capital work.
"At this point, the 2026 budget is, in the general fund, 14,180,000, which is 2% higher than what we budgeted in 2025," Director Frank said. He identified a $1,500,000 allocation for the Broadview Road project as a major driver of the overall increase.
Committee members asked department-specific questions: the police chief said two officers left and replacements will be hired; one police vehicle is budgeted for 2026. Fire Chief Mecklenburg said the department has encumbered $400,000 for an ambulance ordered in 2024 and expects delivery in August 2026. The administration noted a possible full rec-center roof replacement could be about $2,000,000 but that a $400,000-$500,000 repair could extend service life for a decade. The city also budgeted a $150,000 placeholder for sanitary-sewer capital work (CCTV and flow metering) and a similar placeholder for storm sewers.
Other items included $45,000 for the Cricket Road pavilion and continued efforts to pursue state and federal grant funding for major capital repairs. Health-care costs were built into the budget at a 3.5% increase; other salary increases were budgeted at 3% pending labor negotiations. Following discussion, the committee voted to place the budget on the next council agenda for first reading.
The budget will return to the full council for formal readings and votes; committee members flagged several follow-ups, including a future discussion of the waste-management contract before it expires.
