Copperton council approves tentative 2025–26 budget, sets May public hearing and adds $50 candidate filing fee

The Copperton Town Council on the April agenda approved a tentative 2025–26 budget and scheduled a required public hearing in May.

Council members said the tentative budget is similar to prior years but includes a modest addition to fund the town’s 100th-anniversary events and capital allocations for park sprinkler upgrades and additional trees. Chair said the proposal remains within the town’s budget envelope and emphasized the May hearing will allow public comment before final adoption in June.

During discussion staff noted a change in state law and recent legislative action that reclassifies development-related fees as land-use regulations. That reclassification means fees tied to building permits and planning matters must first be heard and recommended by the planning commission before council adoption. Copperton currently has only one planning commissioner, and council members discussed the need to appoint a commissioner before the planning-commission hearing for land-use fees can occur.

Separately, council considered candidate-filing logistics and whether a fee had historically existed. After discussion the council agreed to amend the current fee schedule to add a $50 declaration-of-candidacy filing fee and authorized staff to circulate the planning-commission application and related materials. The amendment was approved by voice vote.

Next steps: the council will hold the public hearing on the tentative budget at the May meeting, continue recruitment for planning-commission vacancies so land-use-related fees can receive the required planning-commission recommendation, and formalize the $50 filing fee in the fee schedule.