Council advances budget ordinances and approvals; details include $29.9M expenditures and $4.2M capital program

At its April 6 meeting, the Princeton City Council approved a set of budget and ordinance items and advanced several other measures to subsequent readings.

The council approved ordinance O-26-008 (second and final reading), an amendment to the fiscal-year budget for the period beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026. Finance staff presented summary figures showing projected revenues just over $30 million, expenditures about $29.9 million and a projected net positive balance of $367,485. The proposed capital program totals approximately $4.2 million and includes about $1.8 million earmarked for an expansion of the fire facility. Staff said debt service will fall from $2.3 million to $2.15 million and that the city expects 13 remaining debt payments in the coming year.

Council advanced several other ordinances on first reading: O-26-009, a revision to the fair solar credit effective May 1, 2026 (advanced to second reading); O-26-010, an annexation to provide electric service to a portion of property for Jonathan and Julianne Mayberry (advanced to second reading); and O-26-011, the annual budget ordinance (first reading advanced). During the O-26-010 discussion, staff clarified the annexation pertained to property needed to serve electric utilities, not annexing an entire dwelling. One member indicated they would abstain from the O-26-010 vote for the stated reason on the record.

Council also approved resolution R-26-008 permitting the Princeton one‑mile road race organized by the Chamber of Commerce, and reappointed Adam Helman to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee through June 30, 2027.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript): - O-26-007 (purchase of 526 N. Chestnut) — approved by roll call (recorded yes votes by those present). - O-26-008 (budget amendment) — approved by roll call (recorded yes votes by those present). - O-26-009 (fair solar credit) — advanced to second reading (motion carried). - O-26-010 (annexation for Mayberry) — advanced to second reading; one abstention noted on the record. - O-26-011 (annual budget ordinance) — advanced to second reading.

The meeting record supplies summary budget figures and several roll-call tallies but does not list purchase prices, specific appropriation amounts for each capital project line item, or final sale terms for the property acquisition. Staff said follow-up work on project scopes and bid packages (particularly streets work) will occur ahead of contract solicitations.