Mount Pleasant tentatively adopts $4.35 million budget, approves several contracts and a sidewalk program; fire mitigation ordinance postponed

Mount Pleasant’s City Council approved a tentative fiscal 2026–27 budget and a package of operational contracts during its regular meeting, while postponing an ordinance on fire-department mitigation rates for further work.

The council voted to adopt a tentative budget that budgets the general fund at $4,346,770 in revenues and expenditures for the 2026–27 fiscal year and includes a baseline 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees. City staff said revenue estimates were prepared conservatively to exclude uncertain grant proceeds and emphasized continued investment in public safety, parks and utilities.

"The tentative budget reflects a stable financial position and a continued focus on maintaining essential services for the residents of Mount Pleasant City," the staff budget statement said (budget presentation delivered to council by S4). Council members discussed timing for the final adoption, noting the final vote typically occurs in June and that some grant money expected later in the year was not carried into the baseline projections.

Council also approved a set of procurement items and contracts that councilors said are needed to keep capital and operational projects on schedule. Requisition 042605 for a radio for a tender was approved for $3,575.78. The council approved requisition 042607 to TRC Engineering Inc. for $134,456 for land surveying related to a new transmission line; staff said roughly half that cost will be reimbursed by a partner (Fairview) under the grant arrangement.

The council also voted to adopt Resolution 2026-8, which establishes the city’s sidewalk management, maintenance and inspection program (name updated to match the trustee’s preferred terminology). Councilmembers said the program will help standardize inspections and maintenance responsibilities.

Separately, the council discussed Ordinance 2026-7, intended to establish mitigation rates and a billing process for the fire department’s nonemergency responses (for example, nonemergency transport or assistance calls and false-alarm responses). Fire staff said the measure aims to recover materials and man-hours on nonemergency calls and to reduce repeated nonemergency demands on volunteer crews. Council members asked staff to add clearer fee schedules and legal backing for the chief’s enforcement authority; after discussion the council voted to postpone the ordinance so staff can incorporate additional details and an appendix.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and budgetary; final budget adoption will follow a public hearing and the statutorily required process.

Votes and next steps: the tentative budget was approved by motion and will return for final adoption after required public notice. The sidewalk program resolution was approved; the fire mitigation/fee ordinance was postponed for revision and reintroduction.

(Reporting note: all votes and motions above reflect the council record and on-the-record roll calls as read during the meeting.)