Mentor on the Lake council presses administration on 2026 budget increases, staffing and stormwater equipment

The Mentor on the Lake City Council spent the bulk of its March 10 session scrutinizing the proposed 2026 appropriation ordinance, pressing administration and department leaders for clearer numbers on staffing plans, equipment purchases and the long‑term fiscal impact.

Council opened debate on the ordinance’s administrative and departmental tabs, focusing on a proposed additional finance clerk (listed in the budget as a $90,000 wages-and-benefits line). The chair said the hire appeared justified because of an upcoming retirement but asked administration to show the exact savings and reassignments that would offset the new position. The administrative director (Mrs. Valentine) provided ten‑year carryover context and said rising debt service and capital investments explain part of recent variability in year‑end balances.

Why it matters: council members repeatedly warned that a potential statewide ballot measure to abolish property taxes could substantially reduce local revenue. Safety director Mr. Eva told council, “Based on our 2025 actual revenues, our property tax revenue was 3,200,000, which was 48% of our total revenue collected in 2025,” and warned that elimination of property taxes “would force deep cuts to our essential services.” Council members said those risks make precision in budget assumptions essential.

Fire and police staffing were major points of contention. Administration presented department data showing the fire department operated at a three‑person minimum staffing level for 92 days in 2025 and responded to 1,396 calls (1,027 EMS, 369 fire), with 233 overlapping calls. That data formed the basis for a department proposal to add full‑time firefighters. The administration said increasing full‑time staff could reduce part‑time hours and overtime, producing approximately $95,000 in annual savings when the position is fully phased in, but several council members asked for a clearer year‑one savings projection and the line items that would be reduced.

Police budget discussion centered on training and professional services. Council agreed to move $10,000 from training into professional services while preserving mandatory state training lines, but members asked the chief to clarify which trainings are optional and to provide a more detailed cost breakdown.

Capital equipment dominated discussion in the service department review. Staff requested funding for a jet‑vac (combination jetting and vacuum truck) to improve stormwater maintenance. Options on the table included buying a trailer‑mounted unit (budgeted in the current draft at $225,000) or purchasing a full jet‑vac truck; one quote cited a new truck near $450,000. Council members pressed for lifecycle, maintenance and storage comparisons and for clarity on whether stormwater funds could be used and by how much. The city engineer said stormwater money could contribute to the purchase but that the administration would need to determine how much could be reallocated without jeopardizing scheduled stormwater projects.

Votes and immediate outcomes: the council corrected and approved the minutes at the start of the meeting (an amendment to reflect a prior vote tally carried; the roll call recorded five yes votes and two abstentions). The appropriation ordinance (Ordinance No. 2026‑O‑02) was read for second reading, but no final adoption vote was recorded in the transcript. Council directed staff to return with precise fiscal backup — including year‑one net cost/savings for proposed hires, detailed overtime and part‑time savings estimates, and comparative cost analyses for jet‑vac truck vs. trailer options — before a final vote.

Council next steps include additional budget backup from administration and department heads and further consideration of whether to commit to the jet‑vac truck now or budget a smaller trailer option while seeking additional funding or grants.