McCall council adopts FY26 budget: $42.24 million appropriation approved

The McCall City Council on Aug. 14 adopted Ordinance 10-31, the fiscal year 2026 annual appropriation ordinance, authorizing $42,244,085 in expenditures for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The council voted to authorize the mayor to sign all necessary documents.

City Manager Forrest (presenting the transmittal memo) said the adopted figure aligns projected expenditures with tax and fee revenues and takes a conservative approach to maintain operating balance while enabling capital projects. Forrest highlighted a capital improvement plan (CIP) totaling roughly $19.5 million for the year, much of it grant-funded and associated with enterprise funds; examples included a planned water plant expansion financed with debt repayable through water rates. He said the golf course is projected to operate as a self-sufficient enterprise fund for FY26.

Forrest also said the budget proposes a 4% general salary increase, which he noted is roughly 1 percentage point above recent inflation, and that the city will continue to fund housing programs (about $780,000 available in 2026 from local option tax and general fund contributions). The budget includes funds for master plans (comprehensive plan update, water master plan, impact fee study, transportation master plan, parking/parking management study) that staff said are important both for policy and for eligibility on future state and federal grants.

No public testimony was submitted for the budget hearing. Councilor Lyle moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinance 10-31 by title only, and then moved to adopt the ordinance; both motions passed on roll-call votes. Recorded votes show Council members Nielsen, Nelson, Machesek and Thrower and Mayor Giles voting yes.

The ordinance will be effective as adopted and staff will move forward with the CIP and implementation steps outlined in the budget transmittal memo.