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Mayor outlines 2026 budget focusing on core services, proposes sales-tax option and modest levy rise
Summary
Mayor presented the recommended 2026 budget emphasizing core services, proposed a 3.4% levy increase (about $60 on a $250,000 home), a 2.5% COLA, $2.3 million increase in debt service and suggested a local half‑cent sales tax option if approved by referendum to help cover infrastructure borrowing.
Mayor delivered an overview of the mayor-recommended 2026 budget and framed it as a maintenance-focused plan that prioritizes core city services including police, fire, public works and parks.
The mayor said the city proposes a 3.4% levy increase—about a 3% mill-rate change—that would equate to roughly $60 on the tax bill for an average $250,000 home. He also proposed a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for employees, with departments accounting for step increases separately.
The budget includes new position requests, such as a financial/data analyst position for the fire department and three community…
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