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Council gets 2026–27 budget kickoff; staff previews $20.4 million debt issuance and new positions
Summary
Staff presented the budget calendar and principles, previewed department requests including four police positions and several public-works equipment items, and described a planned ~$20.4 million debt issuance to support capital projects with ordinance authorization slated for May 28 and closing in late June.
Town staff presented the 2026–27 budget kickoff, outlining the calendar, budgeting principles and a preview of department requests and capital projects.
John (staff) said the calendar includes departmental requests and a CIP briefing on June 11, a proposed-budget briefing Aug. 13, a record vote on the tax rate later in August and adoption on Aug. 20; the fiscal year begins Oct. 1. He said the town’s budgeting philosophy relies on the council’s strategic plan, conservative estimates, and a balanced-budget principle.
Staff previewed requests submitted so far: Police requested four new positions (two corporals, one patrol officer and one accreditation officer); public works requested a street-maintenance worker and several pieces of equipment (vacuum truck, mini-excavator, articulating mower, skid steer and trailer); technology requested shift-scheduling software and use-of-force and pursuit-reporting software. John said police vehicles and other replacements will be acquired through a leasing program for the coming year.
On capital financing, staff described an anticipated debt issuance of about $20,400,000 to support ongoing projects including road reconstruction, water-line work, the STAR Center site infrastructure and the Canyon Falls trail-wall repair. Staff said the council will consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance on May 28, with closing expected June 26.
Councilors asked for clearer job descriptions for the proposed positions and asked staff to quantify purchase versus lease options for equipment such as a street sweeper. The police chief described the accreditation officer role as a multi-hat position combining accreditation compliance, audits and public information functions; that role is described as a full-time position requiring ongoing legal-standards audits.
What’s next: staff will bring necessary budget and debt-issuance ordinances for council action on May 28 and continue department-level discussions in June.
