Elko City Council approves FY2025–26 budget, airport and street contracts, and equipment purchases

Elko City Council approved the FY2025–26 final tentative budget and a package of infrastructure and equipment actions during its May 27 meeting.

Finance director Julie (staff) presented the budget that will be filed with the state, saying, “Beginning fund balance for the general fund is 15,300,000.0,” and outlining a citywide, budget-based expenditure total of about $83 million. The presentation noted a roughly 10 percent drop in consolidated tax revenues year over year and an expected additional 5 percent decline next year; staff also flagged higher PERS rates and increases in salaries and benefits that push personnel costs to a larger share of the budget. Council voted to approve the final tentative budget for submittal to the state.

Why it matters: the budget establishes the city’s spending plan and priorities for the coming year and incorporates projected revenue declines and required retirement-cost increases that will affect staffing and capital plans.

Infrastructure and procurement actions: council approved a group of related measures on the consent and action agenda. - The council authorized staff to solicit bids for the Hot Springs Road repair project (project EL 2025373), noting work adjacent to a Union Pacific Railroad crossing could affect timing. Staff said they would seek a fall timeline but anticipate potential spring work if railroad approvals delay construction. - The Elko Mountain Booster Station and waterline connection ARPA project was granted final acceptance after 21 days of successful operation; staff reported four change orders totaling $48,587.26 and two deductive change orders totaling $48,520.55, for a net reported change of $66.71. Staff explained the booster creates a new pressure zone to serve the Tower Hill subdivision and to back up the hospital; officials said targeted household pressures in the affected area should meet the state minimum of about 40 PSI. - For airport work, staff presented a cost-reduction change order for the terminal reconstruction (AIP 3325550602024) and sought approval; council approved the reduction. Separately, for airfield pavement preservation (AIP 3325550612025), staff recommended and the council awarded the contract to Maxwell Asphalt Incorporated at $1,144,542, after five bids were solicited and three were deemed responsive. - The council also approved a five-year lease (with a five-year renewal option) of ~2,796 sq. ft. of APN 001293001 to Angeline J. Portal for $2,500 annually, finalizing a transaction previously approved at auction earlier in April.

Equipment purchase: public works staff asked to authorize the budgeted purchase of a Maxi 250 towable paint striping truck (MB Companies Inc.) including optional equipment for $316,719.21, citing age and diminishing parts availability for the existing unit. The council approved the purchase and asked staff to obtain user references before final acceptance.

Votes at a glance: council approved the consent agenda (warrants, hand-cut checks, utility refunds), authorized solicitation of bids for Hot Springs Road repair, granted final acceptance for the Elko Mountain booster station ARPA project, approved Contract Change Order No.1 (terminal reconstruction) as a reduction, awarded the airfield pavement preservation bid to Maxwell Asphalt ($1,144,542), approved the Angeline J. Portal lease, authorized the FY2025–26 final tentative budget for state submittal, and authorized the paint-striping truck purchase ($316,719.21). Several items passed by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the meeting record; one council member abstained on an early consent vote citing absence at the prior meeting.

What’s next: the budget will be submitted to the state as the final tentative budget; awarded contracts and purchases will proceed through staff procurement and FAA grant processes where applicable.