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City staff outline FY2026–27 budget: EMA to pay $23.1 million in debt next year; total city debt near $434 million
Summary
At a study session, staff presented the proposed FY2026–27 municipal budget and a municipal-utilities (EMA) plan showing $23.1 million in FY27 debt payments and roughly $434 million in total debt; transfers to the general fund and cuts in one‑time grants drove a net revenue decrease of about $2.7 million.
City staff reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 municipal budget during a study session, saying the utility and municipal authority finances require significant transfers to support general‑fund operations and capital.
“Looking at the proposed $23,100,000 to pay out in FY27,” a staff presenter said, describing the EMA (utilities) debt schedule and noting that the city’s total debt stands at about $434,000,000. Staff said roughly $16 million of EMA transfers are slated for the general fund and that total transfers out are about $25.1 million in the proposed plan.
The EMA presentation broke down revenues by source: water is the largest single slice (about 35 percent), transfers from the general fund comprise about 32 percent, wastewater about 15 percent, and trash services about 11 percent. Staff said the EMA is proposing a roughly $2.7 million (about 3.8 percent) revenue decrease next year, driven in part by the absence of a one‑time $4 million grant included in the prior year and by lower interest earnings on reserve balances.
Officials stressed the proposed EMA budget remains balanced even with the revenue decline, but that the change requires reducing some transfers and capital assumptions. Staff also explained the stormwater fee structure in response to a commissioner question: commercial stormwater is billed based on impervious area; residential fees are set fees and the billed amounts are transferred in full to the dedicated stormwater fund.
No formal action was taken during the study session; staff said the items will appear on the regular meeting agenda for motions and possible approvals.
The city scheduled the regular session to begin at 6:30 p.m. following the study session.
