Trenton council adopts 2026–27 budget, sets 27.41‑mill levy and raises water and sewer rates

The Trenton City Council on May 4 unanimously adopted the city’s recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget and set a proposed property tax millage of 27.41000 mills.

Controller Jill Cooper presented the budget resolution and said the city’s general fund budget totals $26,884,536. The budget resolution and accompanying tax resolution were moved, seconded and approved without recorded no votes.

Cooper also presented a separate water and sewer rate resolution proposing a $1.15 increase per 1,000 gallons to cover operations and maintenance. After the increase, water is set at $7.97 per 1,000 gallons and sewer at $7.87 per 1,000 gallons, for a combined $15.84 per 1,000 gallons effective July 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The millage and budget adoption set the city’s spending plan and tax rate for the coming fiscal year and include funding assumptions that underlie department operations and capital projects. The utility rate increase is intended to ensure the water and wastewater systems can meet ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

Council took the actions as a package and approved the related tax resolution that mirrors the millage elements in the budget resolution. Cooper said the board review of the assessment roll was completed March 19, 2026.

At a glance: Votes and key figures from the meeting include a proposed millage of 27.41000 mills and a general fund budget of $26,884,536. The water and sewer rate increase was approved to become effective July 1, 2026; the new combined rate will be $15.84 per 1,000 gallons.

Council next steps: The clerk will carry out statutory certification steps required to implement the adopted budget and tax rates; any further procedural certification steps were not contested at the meeting.

Quotes: “The board review completed its review of the assessment roll on March 19th, 2026,” Controller Jill Cooper said when presenting the budget. On utility needs, Cooper said the rate adjustment was recommended because current rates “indicate a need for adjustment to meet the operating maintenance costs of the system.”

Votes at a glance: (all actions recorded at the May 4 meeting passed unanimously) • Budget resolution 2026‑7 — adopted (proposed millage 27.41000 mills; general fund $26,884,536). • Tax resolution 2026‑8 — adopted (certification of tax rates accompanying the budget resolution). • Water & sewer rate resolution 2026‑9 — adopted (increase of $1.15 per 1,000 gallons; combined $15.84 per 1,000 gallons effective July 1, 2026).

Provenance: topicintro SEG 310, topfinish SEG 377.