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Carbondale adopts $83.1 million FY2027 budget, approves pay plan and new assistant city manager position
Summary
The Carbondale City Council adopted an $83,135,144 operating budget for FY2027 and a pay plan for non‑bargaining employees. Debate centered on the inclusion of a six‑figure assistant city manager position and communication with council and the public; the budget passed 6–1.
Carbondale’s City Council on the evening it met adopted an operating budget for fiscal year 2027 totaling $83,135,144 and an accompanying pay plan for non‑bargaining‑unit employees, and approved a new assistant city manager position that council members said restores a prior role.
The budget covers the period from 05/01/2026 through 04/30/2027; staff said general‑fund expenditures exceed revenues by $285,448 and that the difference will be covered from restricted fund balances. Council member Colombo moved to adopt the ordinances; Council member Roberts seconded, and a roll‑call vote recorded six in favor and one opposed. Council member Maxwell voted no.
Council member Roberts said she had been surprised by the assistant city manager line item when the budget was first released but that follow‑up conversations convinced her it is needed. “They were the city manager’s right hand,” Roberts said, describing the position’s historical duties. She told colleagues the role would provide cross‑departmental oversight, help catch inconsistencies in budget narratives and provide continuity while the city manager is unavailable, particularly as the city expects to manage multiple new infrastructure projects.
Other council members emphasized process and communication. One council member urged earlier visibility into significant budget changes so members and the public have time to review and ask questions before adoption. Public commenters and several council members also urged the council to consider nonfinancial forms of support for local nonprofits and more proactive public outreach when the budget is posted for review.
The ordinance adopting the budget and the ordinance adopting the pay plan passed on roll call: Council members Roberts, Stanfield, Colombo, Kilman, Lowes and Mayor Harvey voted yes; Council member Maxwell voted no. With the ordinance adopted, the FY2027 budget is effective for the stated period and city staff said they will proceed with implementation under the adopted pay plan and staffing changes.
Next procedural steps noted by staff include filing the adopted ordinances in the public record as required and incorporating the approved pay plan into payroll administration.
