Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Woodstock council adopts $45 million fiscal 2026–27 budget after 6–1 vote
Summary
After a contentious exchange over public input and spending priorities, the Woodstock City Council voted 6–1 on April 21 to adopt the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, with concerns raised about process and infrastructure costs tied to state-mandated water-treatment upgrades.
The Woodstock City Council voted 6–1 on April 21 to adopt the city’s fiscal year 2026–27 budget, moving forward with roughly $45 million in operations and capital spending.
Council discussion focused on process and priorities. Councilman Greg (voice in transcript) said residents’ priorities were not sufficiently reflected and announced he would vote against the document, arguing there had been limited early public input into how the city distributed funds. “I don’t think the residents had greater input,” he said, noting that he considered the overall framework a rejection of resident priorities.
City staff provided fiscal context during debate. A staff member identified significant near-term capital needs tied to water and sewer upgrades, including a $4,100,000 phosphorus-treatment plant project. The same presentation noted $10,000,000 in state funds committed to the Water and Sewer Fund and $3,150,000 secured from Congressman Foster to assist the city’s utility needs. Council members said those external funds help offset a portion of the costs that would otherwise be borne by residents.
Mayor (presiding officer) and other council members defended the budget and the process used to develop it. The mayor said the document represented a balanced plan to run the city and that, while no budget is perfect, the staff and elected officials had opportunities to shape it during the multi-month process. “We do not run unbalanced budgets,” the mayor said, urging the council to avoid a vote that would force a prolonged rework.
The motion to adopt the budget (Item D1) was moved and seconded. On roll call, the council recorded one dissenting vote; the ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2026–27 budget passed 6–1. The council noted that a defeat would have required an extended process to rebuild the budget and that staff would return to the council if specific elements needed rework.
The council directed staff to continue refining materials and to provide additional public information on major capital items. The budget measure’s immediate effect is authorizing the city’s operating plan and capital improvement priorities for the next 12 months; specifics about individual program allocations remain in the adopted budget documents.
