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Josephine council adopts FY2025–26 budget, ratifies property-tax revenue increase
Summary
The Josephine City Council adopted the FY2025–26 budget and ratified a property-tax revenue increase of $164,985 (12.77% more revenue than last year), citing debt for infrastructure and sewer projects; council members debated long-term obligations and directed staff to present tax-rate details at the next hearing.
The Josephine City Council voted to adopt the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and to ratify the related property-tax revenue increase, following a brief public hearing and staff presentation. City staff said the budget will raise $164,985 more in property-tax revenue than last year — a 12.77% increase — and that $118,252 of the revenue comes from new property added to the tax roll.
The vote came after staff and councilmembers discussed the city’s debt profile, with one councilmember noting the city’s long-term obligations and urging prudence. City staff distinguished between debt used to finance capital projects (paid from utility fees over decades) and the operating side of the budget, which is funded from annual revenues.
Councilmember discussion emphasized that much of the debt is tied to infrastructure and public-safety investments rather than routine operating expenses. “When you add the 19,000,000 and the 27,000,000, that’s almost 50,000,000,” a councilmember said while urging careful cuts to discretionary items. Staff responded that much of the debt is repaid over 30–40 years and is tied to utility-funded capital projects rather than property taxes.
Council moved first to adopt the ordinance approving the FY2025–26 budget, then to ratify the property-tax revenue increase reflected in the budget; both motions passed in recorded/voice votes. Roll-call votes on the ordinance showed the adoption motion carried 4–1; the ratification vote was recorded with individual votes (Doug Ewing: Aye; Fred Ulfinger: No; Alex Escobel: Aye; Albert Sam Sargoff: Aye; Gary Chapel: Aye).
Staff said the tax rate proposed for public notice is the same as the current year and that the ratification statement is required by law when revenue collected is greater than the prior year’s revenue. City staff also said the budget assumes certain fee adjustments and recommended actions (including future fee schedules) will be brought forward before October. The council did not further postpone adoption and approved the ordinance and ratification as presented.
The city clerk indicated the public hearing opened and closed at 7:02 p.m.; no members of the public spoke during the budget hearing. The council directed staff to present finalized tax-rate materials and related documentation at the next public hearing.
