Oakdale Council adopts FY 2025–26 final budget, maintains 40% reserve policy
Loading...
Summary
The Oakdale City Council on a 4–0 vote approved the fiscal year 2025–26 final budget after a staff presentation that projected revenues slightly exceed expenditures and highlighted higher public-safety and parks costs.
The Oakdale City Council voted 4–0 to adopt the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 final budget following a presentation by city staff.
City staff said the general fund budget includes approximately $18 million in expenditures and projects revenues to exceed expenditures by about $682,000. The city expects to maintain a policy target of a roughly 40% general fund reserve (about $7 million under current projections). Staff identified notable cost increases for contracted fire services (roughly $444,000) and police services (about $625,000), and higher park maintenance costs tied to staffing for the Gregor Sports Park. Staff recommended adoption, citing conservative budgeting and a plan for a midyear review next year.
"The final budget is reviewed and approved by city council in October or November," city staff member Gary said while summarizing changes from the preliminary budget adopted June 16, 2025. He told the council the city closed the prior fiscal year with added reserves and that projected growth in expenditures is planned and within projected revenues.
Council members thanked staff for the level of detail and for keeping the final document largely unchanged from the proposed budget. A council member who moved adoption praised staff’s fiscal conservatism and then made the motion; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call 4–0.
What changed and what’s next: staff noted several capital projects included in the adopted budget, such as restroom upgrades at Gilbert Park, improvements at Brandon Park (lighting and surfacing), pavement rehabilitations in downtown and various neighborhood streets, and design funds for an animal shelter. The city plans a midyear budget review in February or April of next year. The council did not take any separate actions beyond passage.
The budget adoption is effective immediately as the council’s final approval of the FY 2025–26 spending plan. The council adjourned after routine announcements.
