Councilors spent significant time discussing the city's structural budget pressures and personnel needs during the meeting.

Budget concerns: Council members and finance staff reviewed multi-year shortfalls and revenue trends. One councilor summarized prior shortfalls by saying recent years had been "$269,000 short" (2022) and about "$169,000 short" (2023), and warned the city cannot continue to operate on current financial practices without changes. Finance staff described adjustments made to the 2026 budget using more realistic revenue trends and recommended quarterly financial check-ins. A councilor urged the finance department to provide clearer periodic reports showing where the city stands versus year-to-date revenue and expenses.

Hiring and staffing: The council approved a conditional offer to hire part‑time officer Alexa Williams, who completed the academy in December and is expected to start in January 2026. The police chief described the hire as a standard conditional offer pending administrative steps. In a separate personnel discussion, members raised concern about a vacant co-clerk position and the need to schedule interviews promptly; staff and councilors emphasized the need for a training plan for any new hire so front-office operations and permit mailings due in January can be handled correctly.

Other administrative items: Staff reported the community-service program logged over 2,700 hours this year, and the council thanked volunteers and staff for their contributions.

What happens next: Finance will provide quarterly updates and a clearer report on revenue vs. expenditures; human resources and department managers will schedule interviews for the co-clerk vacancy and produce a training plan before January mailings begin.