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Meadow maintains certified tax rate and approves 2026 budget, removing water depreciation line
Summary
The Meadow council voted to retain its certified tax rate and approved the 2026 fiscal-year budget with one change: removing the water depreciation expense. Council also reviewed revenue projections and noted the town’s fire budget is a pass-through of district funds.
Speaker 2 told the council the certified tax rate will remain unchanged for the coming year and asked whether a motion was needed to maintain it. Speaker 6 moved to retain the current certified tax rate; Speaker 3 seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote.
The council reviewed revenue projections tied to that tax rate. Speaker 5 said the county-certified estimate of revenue tied to the tax rate is about $8,790, while the town’s proposed budget conservatively lists $8,400. Speaker 3 noted the difference was minor and suggested the town consider the rate next year if costs continue to rise.
On the 2026 budget, Speaker 2 explained the fire budget is effectively fire district funds that pass through the town. Council discussed removing the water depreciation line (about $30,000 in prior years). Speaker 2 moved to approve the 2026 budget as edited (with the water depreciation line removed); Speaker 4 seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. Speaker 5 said finalizing billing will slightly increase reported water and electric sales and that state notice will occur within 30 days.
Votes at a glance - Maintain certified tax rate (motion: Speaker 6; second: Speaker 3) — Passed by voice vote. - Approve 2026 budget as edited, removing water depreciation (motion: Speaker 2; second: Speaker 4) — Passed by voice vote.
Why this matters: retaining the certified tax rate preserves the town’s current property-tax levy and underpins revenue assumptions in the newly approved budget. Removing the water depreciation line reduces a planned expense category and will affect capital-accounting for the utility fund.
What’s next: The town will finalize billing and submit required notifications to the state within 30 days. Any future change to the certified tax rate would require follow-up hearings or tax-related procedures.
