City Manager Ashley Combs presented the city’s proposed 2026 budget, highlighting investments in staff and projects and the planned use of general fund reserves to fund capital and public safety needs. Combs described department changes, a planned increase in general fund expenditures driven by public safety and an increase in the City Council budget to add a part‑time deputy clerk position.

Combs announced cost and revenue items including a stated “5% cost of living increase for all non union employees,” additional health insurance costs and projected income tax growth of about 3%. Finance figures presented included general fund increases and proposed use of reserves to support downtown projects and ongoing capital work. Staff said the projected general fund deficit spending is planned to decline by 2027 with a 30–35% reserve balance into the future.

In council discussion, members pressed for attention to job growth to replenish reserves and debated whether the budget approval should be scheduled as emergency legislation at the next meeting to avoid end‑of‑year complications. After motion and second, council voted unanimously to place an emergency ordinance to approve the budget on the Dec. 2 agenda.

Council members and staff said they will review department slides individually and accept further feedback; the motion sets the procedural step to allow final budget action at the Dec. 2 meeting. No final appropriation was adopted Nov. 18 — council only placed an emergency budget approval on the next meeting agenda.