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Mound Council adopts 2026 final levy and budget, funds new code-enforcement/planning technician
Summary
The council adopted resolution 2598 setting the 2026 final general fund budget at $7,223,908 and a final levy of $8,000,701.04. The budget includes a new planning technician/code-enforcement administrator post intended to improve customer service and code response times.
The Mound City Council on Dec. 9 adopted the 2026 final general fund budget of $7,223,908 and set the final levy at $8,000,701.04, approving resolution 2598 by voice vote.
Deputy City Manager Leila Meohi presented the Truth in Taxation overview and explained the process: the county sets property valuations in January, the city sets a preliminary levy in September and must submit a final levy by Dec. 26. Meohi said the proposed budget funds a mix of operating costs, capital investments and debt service, and that the city is prioritizing capital reserves to reduce reliance on assessments.
A notable addition to the 2026 budget is a full-time planning technician/code-enforcement administrator, proposed to split duties approximately 50/50 between planning support and code-enforcement administration and to report to staff member Sarah Lenz. Meohi said the new position would improve customer service and reduce response times for code cases; it would also free the field officer to focus on enforcement, emergency management and litigation support. The position would be advertised immediately if the council approved the budget.
Council members discussed alternatives, including contracting code-enforcement services. Staff estimated outsourcing costs at roughly $100 to $150 per hour and said an outsourced schedule often fails to meet daily responsiveness needs. Meohi and staff recommended an in-house hire to provide consistent daily service.
Meohi said the median homeowner in the city would see roughly a 3% change in taxes on average (about $35 per year for a median taxable market value used in the presentation), but noted variation by property based on county valuations and homestead exclusions.
The outcome: Councilmember (Speaker 3) moved to approve resolution 2598; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council also approved HRA resolution 2599 in a separate motion.
What comes next: Staff said they will post the job announcement for the planning technician position and return with recruitment timelines. The city will also continue work on the five-year Street Rehab and Overlay Plan (SROP) and capital reserve management to limit future assessments.
