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Wyoming council approves 2026 tax levy, adopts department budgets
Summary
The Wyoming City Council on Nov. 18 approved a final 2026 tax levy that raises the levy $271,158 (4.68%) from 2025 and adopted the proposed departmental expenditure budget; council and residents voiced concern about the increase during a public hearing.
The Wyoming City Council approved a final tax levy on Nov. 18 that the city'9s financial presenter said increases the levy by $271,158, a 4.68% rise from 2025, and adopted departmental expenditure budgets for 2026.
The vote approved Resolution 2512125 certifying the 2025 levy collectible in 2026 and Resolution 2512126 adopting the department-level expenditures budget. The presentation from Julie McManis of Abdo Financial, introduced by city staff, showed projected local government aid of $388,427 (an increase of $189 over 2025), a proposed 2026 tax rate of 41.21% (up 0.01 percentage point from 2025), and a general fund revenue and expenditure increase of $433,140. Staff noted the budget as presented is balanced and includes a part-time firefighter and a part-time community service officer position.
Why it matters: the levy and budget set how much Wyoming will collect from property taxpayers in 2026 and how those tax dollars are allocated across police, streets, clerk and other services. The presentation showed the police department alone accounts for roughly 40% of the general fund budget, with highways, streets and roads at about 19.45% and the city clerk area at about 13.13%.
Council members pressed staff for clarity. "I'9m not comfortable with even a 4.68% '1 increase," said Council member Joerger, who said seniors on fixed incomes could be harmed as other costs rise. Staff explained property market valuations and school or special district levies are set by the county and other jurisdictions and are outside the city'9s control.
During the required public hearing, resident Lauren Osterbower said she was "not comfortable with almost 5% either" and asked why the city could not keep increases near the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustments many residents receive from Social Security. Another resident, Steven Morashik, said his property valuation increased 7% while his city tax bill appeared to rise by about 12% on the county preliminary statement; staff explained the county'9s mailed statement initially showed the city'9s preliminary levy (about 8.42%), and that the statement will update to reflect the council'9s final levy of 4.68%.
Major line items and changes noted in the presentation included a general levy increase of 6.1% (approximately $269,940), capital levies rising $154,600 (24.52%), and debt levies declining approximately $153,382 (21.09%) as some general obligation bonds fall off the levy schedule. Staff highlighted that increases in licenses and permits and intergovernmental revenues (fire and police state aid) and higher interest earnings account for part of the revenue change.
What happened next: council members moved, seconded and voted to approve both resolutions. The transcript records a voiced opposition on several roll-call style approvals, but the record does not attach a specific name to that opposition in every instance; both resolutions were recorded as approved on the Nov. 18 meeting record.
The council also approved the department expenditure budgets for 2026 and moved on to consent items and other business. The adopted levy and budget take effect for the 2026 tax year as certified by the council.
