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Board approves budget first reading after heated debate over resurfacing funds
Summary
At first reading the board approved Ordinance 25-05 adopting the annual budget and tax rate for FY2025-26; aldermen debated reallocating roughly $600,000 to accelerate resurfacing in one ward, a proposed amendment failed and the ordinance passed.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the first reading of Ordinance 25-05, the city's annual budget and tax-rate ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
During the budget debate an alderman pressed to reallocate about $600,000 from the projected fund balance to accelerate resurfacing in Ward 1, arguing residents had waited years and describing safety concerns on busy routes: "You have potholes that create safety issues... Not fixing these roads is a hazard to our citizens," the alderman said. Other board members defended the compromise reached in prior study sessions and warned that heavy construction traffic and planned development could quickly damage newly paved roads; one member described the need to balance limited city funds and not raise taxes.
An amendment to divert the funds was moved and seconded but the motion failed and the budget ordinance passed on first reading by voice vote. Staff noted that some grant-funded projects have multi-year completion windows and that reassigning funds would not necessarily delay grant-tied work. The board did not adopt any immediate tax increase at the meeting.
Next steps: the ordinance will return for final consideration, and staff were asked to provide additional detail on road scheduling and cost estimates for resurfacing projects.
