Highland council adopts 2026'27 budget; manager estimates a 3'4% property-tax rise

The Highland City Council adopted the city's financial budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2026, and ending April 30, 2027, during its April 20 regular meeting at Highland City Hall.

Mayor Kevin B. Hemann opened the public hearing but said there were no emailed, phoned, or in-person comments. Councilwoman Barbara Bellm moved to adopt Bill #26-55/Ordinance #3446; Councilwoman Sloan seconded, and the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote of Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper.

City Manager Chris Conrad said the budget reflects expected increases in fixed costs and noted that approving the budget at this stage means the city will set its property-tax levy later. When asked by Councilman Klaus whether approval implied a tax increase, Conrad said the city would not have final levy figures until later, but "he estimated 3-4%," citing rising pension and insurance costs as drivers.

Director of Finance Reanna Ohren described the adoption as a routine step in the fiscal cycle; the council also approved a year-end amendment to the prior fiscal year budget earlier in the meeting under Bill #26-54/Ordinance #3445.

The adopted budget covers general operations and capital planning for the coming year; final property-tax rates tied to the levy will be set later in the calendar year, when the city has firm pension and insurance numbers.

Next steps: the council will set the tax levy in late 2026 after more detailed fiscal projections are available. No public comments were recorded during the hearing.