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Council reviews tentative FY2025–26 budget; public hearing kept open pending packet changes
Summary
Staff presented a high‑level tentative FY2025–26 budget showing modest new‑growth property tax revenue, higher sales tax projections, decreases in franchise gas revenue tied to energy billing changes, and planned transfers to capital projects; the council left the public hearing open so residents and council members can review revised figures before a final vote next week.
City finance staff presented a high‑level overview of the tentative FY2025–26 budget during the June 5 meeting and the council left the public hearing open so members of the public and the council can review updates to figures that arrived after the initial packet was posted.
Christian (city staff) summarized the revenue picture: an initially budgeted increase in property tax revenue tied to new growth, a projected $163,000 increase in sales tax compared with the prior budget, and a $200,000 decline in franchise gas tax revenue attributed to a mild winter and a billing‑structure change after Dominion Energy was absorbed by Enbridge. Christian emphasized the presentation was a "really high level look at the tentative budget" and that several numbers were still subject to change.
On the expenditure side, Christian noted a citywide 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (approximately $72,000 across funds), increases in contract costs for public safety (the UPD and UFA contracts), and a budgeted contribution to fund balance ($412,000). Staff highlighted planned transfers to the capital projects fund for roads and Holiday Village lighting and noted bond proceeds and stormwater projects are being drawn down as projects complete.
Staff also told the council that some packet numbers changed the morning of the meeting: certified tax commission new‑growth figures were updated and several line items in the packet appeared in yellow to show late changes. Because the tentative budget posted earlier differed from these newest figures, the mayor kept the public hearing open so residents can review final posted numbers and comment before the council votes next week.
Council actions and votes at the meeting included voice approval of the consent agenda (minutes approval) and a unanimous voice motion to recess the council meeting and reconvene as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) board. The transcript records the motions and that the consent agenda was "approved" and the recess motion carried; it does not record a roll‑call vote or individual named votes.
Next steps: Staff asked council members to review the tentative numbers and submit any recommended changes so they can be included in the final budget packet ahead of next week's approval vote.
