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Augusta council adopts revised 2026 budget, trims reserve to limit mill levy increase
Summary
The Augusta City Council approved a revised 2026 budget on Sept. 15, 2025, cutting the general fund reserve from $950,000 to $750,000 to reduce the estimated mill levy from about 60.505 to 58.227; staff and public speakers debated possible cuts to contractual line items and revenue options before the unanimous vote.
The Augusta City Council voted unanimously Sept. 15 to adopt a revised 2026 budget that preserves requested officer positions while reducing the city's cash reserve from $950,000 to $750,000 to lower property tax dollars.
Council adopted the budget after staff described earlier hearings and the changes to the budget certificate, noting the revision reduces the estimated mill levy from roughly 60.505 to about 58.227. City staff provided a median homeowner example based on 2023 census figures: a median home value of $162,000 (taxable value $18,653) would see an estimated increase of about $2.75 per month, or $33 per year, under the revised figures presented to council.
Public comment before the final vote included Ron Reed, who urged a 10% across-the-board cut to contractual and commodities line items (excluding wages and capital) to free roughly $1.2 million and suggested user fees and other revenue options. Reed said the four officer positions were estimated at $334,000 and argued the city's recent budgeting approach overestimates expenses while undercounting likely revenues. "If you do that, that comes up to just over $1,200,000," Reed said, urging fiscal restraint and alternative revenue measures.
Staff and council members responded that contractuals include many fixed obligations (insurance, professional services, engineering fees) and that any savings would require line-item review and potential tradeoffs, such as reduced condemnations or deferred services. Councilors and staff also discussed engagement opportunities for public input earlier in the budget process.
After discussion, Council member S5 moved to approve the revised 2026 budget; S2 seconded the motion. The council voted aye and the motion carried.
Votes at a glance: minutes from 09/02/2025 and 09/11/2025 (approved by voice vote); Appropriation Ordinance No. 9 dated 09/10/2025 (approved by voice vote); Ordinance No. 22-49 establishing library fund tax dollar amount (adopted by roll call: Martin, Burke, Bailey, Scott, Richardson, Davis, Brown, Marr voted yes); Resolution 2025-20 extending a prior resolution and project sales-tax exemption for the Club Tower senior-apartment rehabilitation (adopted by voice vote); Resolutions 2025-21/22/23 authorizing a Public Works campus, water system improvements and offering GO Bonds Series 2025 (adopted by voice vote); professional services agreement with JEO Consulting Group for CCLIP US-54 design up to $77,000 (approved by voice vote).
The council adjourned after a brief round of member updates on road maintenance and the city's project-tracker tools. The budget adopted Sept. 15 is the council's selected option after roughly 30 to 40 hours of budget work sessions this summer, according to the mayor.
