Mount Vernon council adopts 2026 budget, sets levy rate after public hearing

MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon City Council on Wednesday adopted the city’s 2026 budget and set the property tax levy after a public hearing that included resident pleas for alternatives to expanding police staffing.

Finance Director Doug Voleski presented the council with a $92,979,109 preliminary citywide budget and said governmental operating budgets (general fund, parks, library, streets) total $50,216,251. Voleski told the council the city’s estimated general fund balance on Dec. 31, 2026, is about $6.7 million — 18.3% of the general fund, within the city’s 15% reserve policy.

The budget reflects revenue from a voter-approved levy lid lift. Voleski said voters’ approval increases property tax revenue by an estimated $4.5 million (the staff estimate shown to council was $4,500,000) and that the approved maximum levy rate for collection in 2026 is 2.2537 per $1,000 assessed valuation. The levy lift increases funding targeted to police, fire and parks; staff recommended and council adopted resolution number 10 87 to set the 2026 levy at the voter-approved rate.

Why it matters: Council leaders said the earlier-than-usual, 0-based budget process was necessary…