Budget presented; council hears public concern about proposed 9% water/sewer increase and other impacts

Summary

City staff presented the FY 2025–26 proposed budget — balanced, with a recommended property tax rate of $0.69 and a proposed 9% water and sewer rate increase — and held a public hearing that included multiple speakers opposing further utility increases and urging clearer accounting of prior rate revenues.

City staff presented a recommended FY 2025–26 annual operating budget and opened a public hearing on May 19. The recommended budget totals approximately $93.18 million (an increase of about 8.5% or roughly $7.3 million over the FY25 budget). Staff described the budget as balanced without using fund balance and outlined major items and assumptions, including a proposed property tax rate recommendation of $0.69 (the presentation noted a revenue‑neutral rate of $0.5632) and a recommended 9% increase to water and sewer rates.

Finance staff and the city manager highlighted key investments in the proposed budget: a pay‑classification (compensation) study and COLA adjustments, three new positions (two in general fund, one in stormwater), a 1% increase to employee 401(k) contribution (to 5%), $1.2 million in street repaving funding and $3.45 million in equipment purchases, and a recommendation by…

Budget presented; council hears public concern about proposed 9% water/sewer increase and other impacts

Summary

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