Cosmopolis council adopts final 2026 budget ordinance

The Cosmopolis City Council adopted budget ordinance 14-02 at its Dec. 3 meeting after a public hearing that drew no comments.

The vote came after Mayor Mayo Springhill opened the hearing at 7:12 p.m. and closed it immediately when no members of the public spoke. Councilmember Darcy moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilman Skinner seconded; the motion carried with no opposition recorded.

Why it matters: The adopted budget sets the city's spending plan for the coming year and incorporates assumptions about public-safety services, including a transition to a contracted police-services arrangement with the City of Aberdeen. City staff told the council the adopted budget was prepared assuming current police positions are included on the fund schedule and that the Aberdeen contract is expected to cost less at the fund level; staff said any required amendments would be brought back to council.

Details and next steps: City staff said the budget is final for submission and the council approved it as presented. Staff also noted a short transition period may be needed if some city police personnel remain temporarily to assist with the handoff to Aberdeen officers, but any longer-term retention would be a separate decision.

What council said: Councilmember Darcy, who moved the ordinance, framed the action as finalizing the city's fiscal plan for the year. Councilman Skinner seconded and the council recorded approval.

The meeting record shows no public testimony against the ordinance; the council adopted the budget and moved on to other agenda items. The city will publish the final ordinance and any subsequent budget amendments as required by state law.