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Bluff adopts tentative FY2027 budget, signals possible $50,000 property‑tax increase for emergency services
Summary
At a May 5 meeting, the Bluff Town Council adopted a tentative fiscal‑year 2027 budget and the mayor issued the state‑required impact statement that the town is considering a $50,000 property‑tax increase to fund emergency services (a part‑time emergency services administrative manager and equipment). The council scheduled an open house for May 19 and a public hearing in June.
The Bluff Town Council adopted Resolution 103 on May 5, formally approving a tentative fiscal‑year 2027 budget and issuing a state‑required impact statement that the town is proposing a property‑tax increase intended to generate $50,000 for emergency services.
Mayor Josh Ewing read the required notice into the record and said the proposed increase would raise the town’s certified tax rate from about 0.000545104 to approximately 0.00113663, producing an estimated $50,000 in additional revenue for the town. He gave sample impacts: an average Bluff homeowner (assessed market value $233,000, per the county assessor) would pay about $105 more annually; a $500,000 home would see roughly $225 more; and a business property valued at $443,000 would pay about $364 more to the town under the proposed increase.
Ewing said the additional revenue is intended to partially fund a part‑time emergency services administrative manager and to support maintenance, equipment and other emergency‑services expenses. He emphasized the statement is an early, legally required notification that preserves the town’s ability to pursue a later vote and that final inputs from the county will refine exact numbers.
Council members discussed constraints on how the town must initially earmark the funds: the mayor said the money should be spent on the emergency‑services budget category in the first fiscal year but could be adjusted later, noting the League of Cities and Towns cautions against repeatedly reallocating dedicated increases.
The council set public engagement steps: an open house on May 19 (presentation and breakout stations on secondary water, roads, business promotion, emergency services, and general budget topics) and a formally noticed budget public hearing in early June (staff suggested Tuesday, June 2 at 4 p.m.). Mayor Ewing and staff said the open house will include staff and outside guests (acting fire chief Don Diego and others) to answer technical questions and gather public feedback.
The meeting also covered related administrative items the council will act on separately: staff opened sealed bids for a fire‑suppression design and installation RFP (one responsive bid received), reported three bids for window replacement and three for selective demolition, and announced the hiring of Ben Tomko as the town’s new building inspector starting May 8.
Action: The council adopted Resolution 103 (tentative FY2027 budget) by roll‑call vote; staff and council emphasized the adoption is tentative, required by state law, and that subsequent hearings and outreach will inform any final tax decision.
What comes next: The town will host the May 19 open house and schedule noticed public hearings this summer as required by the state truth‑in‑taxation process. Council members assigned outreach and staffing for breakout sessions; county inputs on assessed values will refine the final tax calculations before a final adoption vote.
