Stewartville council adopts 2026 budget, tax levy and multiple year‑end resolutions

Stewartville — The Stewartville City Council on its final meeting of 2025 approved the city’s 2026 final budget and certified a tax levy for collection in 2026, along with several year-end financial and administrative resolutions.

The council approved the proposed 2026 final budget after staff discussion and moved to adopt the 2025 tax levy collectible in 2026. Staff told the council the revised levy amount presented at truth‑in‑taxation was $5,496,187; the preliminary levy number discussed earlier in the year had been $5,583,475 plus separate pool and fire referenda levies. The council was reminded the certified final levy must be sent to the county auditor on or before Dec. 30.

Councilmembers also approved two GASB 54 resolutions to commit general‑fund balances and to identify special revenue funds under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board classification; staff explained this is an annual recommitment required under current reporting rules. The council authorized formal use of enterprise-designated retained earnings for water and sewer 2025 cash‑flow needs that staff had previously identified.

Other approvals included a resolution establishing the 2026 fee schedule for city licenses, permits and services and a set of utility rate changes for 2026. Staff described the utility adjustments as follows: a 3% increase for sewer and a 3% increase for storm based on capital planning; a $0.45 per‑bill surcharge; a $0.07 per‑bill recycling increase to cover a shortfall; a $0.30 per‑bill CIP fee increase; sidewalk‑maintenance fees of $1 per residential bill and $5 per commercial bill. Staff gave example bill impacts (two‑unit: +$2.46; three units: +$2.74; four units: +$3.20) to illustrate household‑level effects.

The council also approved a three‑year renewal (2026–2028) of the city’s union contract and related personnel policy and organizational‑chart updates, including proposed library and fire department pay‑grade adjustments. Staff presented and the council accepted an engagement letter from Smith Schaefer Associates to perform the 2025 year‑end financial audit and to assist with a GFOA certificate of achievement application; the proposal cost in the packet was $43,500 including expenses.

All of the items listed above were approved by voice vote during the meeting; the transcript records typical "all in favor" responses and occasional single oppositions but does not provide a roll‑call tally with member names for each motion. The council also authorized staff to pay any bills that arrive before year‑end since the next council meeting will not occur until 2026.

The meeting adjourned after routine department reports and holiday announcements.