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City staff present proposed 2026 general-fund budget; commissioners discuss reserves, taxes and service priorities
Summary
Staff presented the proposed 2026 general-fund budget, citing a small assessed-valuation increase (~2.8%), a revenue mix of property tax, sales tax and transfers, and priorities to balance the budget, secure reserves and invest in staff; commissioners asked follow-up questions and staff will return with additional funds and utility budgets.
City staff presented the draft 2026 general-fund budget and explained objectives, revenue drivers and department-level requests.
Staff said the assessed valuation for Goodland increased by roughly $1 million (about 2.8%), which affects the property-tax calculation used in the budget. The draft general fund seeks to balance the budget, preserve reserves and maintain services while allowing limited investments in staff and infrastructure. Staff summarized revenue composition (property tax ~32%, sales tax ~28%, transfers from utilities ~20%), noted rising insurance and equipment costs, and described departmental requests such as step increases and a 3% cost-of-living pay adjustment within the proposed pay plan.
The presentation covered individual departments (police, municipal court, animal control, streets, airport, parks, cemetery, recreation and the waterpark). Staff highlighted potential large capital needs, including demolition or nuisance-abatement expenses for certain properties and the need to prioritize capital projects if the proposed budget is reduced. The pool/waterpark fund, staff said, operates as a cost center and ran about $100,000 short in 2024; commissioners discussed options for community funding supports and possible foundation-managed giving.
Commissioners thanked staff for clarity and asked staff to present remaining tax funds, utility funds and insurance detail at the next meeting; staff said they will return with that material before budget decisions are required.
