Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Appropriation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Freeport council advances FY2026 appropriation and keeps the city levy unchanged
Summary
Council moved the FY2026 appropriation ordinance to second reading, reviewed the city corporate levy that would remain effectively flat at the city portion for most homeowners, and approved a consent agenda that included $3.145 million in payable bills and $845,650 in payroll.
City Manager Rob Boyer presented the fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance and associated detailed budgets, recommending the ordinance move to second reading after months of finance-committee review beginning in September. The council voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading date.
During the consent agenda, council approved a slate of board and department minutes and reports, as well as finance bills payable totaling $3,145,135.33 and payroll through Nov. 1 of $845,650.41. The consent agenda was approved by roll call (8–0).
On the tax levy, Boyer said the county’s estimated 2025 equalized assessed value for the city decreased by $105,004. Based on that information, staff calculated the city corporate portion of the levy for 2025 (paid in 2026) at $2,000,970; Boyer told council that a homeowner with a $100,000 assessed value would see no change in the city portion of their property tax bill if their assessed value did not change.
Council members raised procedural concerns about the pace at which multiple ordinances are being presented together; Alderman Larry Sanders asked for more time to review materials and suggested tabling certain items. Other members said the materials had been discussed in previous special meetings and that staff offered one-on-one meetings prior to second readings.
What’s next: the appropriation ordinance will return for a second reading. Staff offered to meet individually with aldermen to address questions before final votes.
