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Cookeville council approves first readings of FY27 budget and related ordinances
Summary
On June 4, Cookeville city staff presented the proposed FY27 budget and several companion ordinances including a FY26 amendment, the tax-levy ordinance (first reading), and nonprofit appropriations; council approved first readings unanimously and staff outlined personnel increases, capital priorities and projected fund balances.
Cookeville City Council on Thursday approved on first reading a package of budget-related ordinances that together shape the city's spending and tax posture for the coming fiscal year.
"This ordinance provides for the adoption of our fiscal year 2027 budget for all departments and funds," said Miss Nislander, the staff presenter, as she walked the council through the document that shows total city appropriations including utilities of more than $244,000,000.
The proposed general fund budget anticipates $40,955,728 in revenues and transfers in and $45,307,028 in appropriations, producing a planned drawdown of approximately $4.3 million in fund balance, staff said. Key personnel and operating changes include a $2,000 market adjustment for all full-time employees, merit raises up to 2% tied to evaluations, and three net new full-time positions (a public-works utility worker, an EMT for the CCR van and a water meter installer).
Staff identified more than $30 million in capital projects outside utilities. The general-improvement bond fund anticipates roughly $18 million in expenditures and staff said the city may borrow about $18 million to fund large projects; outstanding principal currently stands near $41,085,000.
Miss Nislander outlined several companion actions approved on first reading: an FY26 budget amendment that increases general-fund revenues by $841,708; a tax-levy ordinance that establishes the city's property-tax rate accounting for rounding to the nearest penny; and an ordinance appropriating $1,051,055 to public-service and nonprofit organizations for FY27 (the staff recommendation earmarked about $160,000 to nonprofits after committee review).
Council members repeatedly praised the work of staff in preparing the budget and the conservative approach to fund balances. The council approved the package by voice vote; the clerk recorded the outcome as "5 yes, motion carries." Mayor Wheaton presided over the votes.
The budget ordinance and related items were passed on first reading; staff said further actions and formal adoption steps will follow as required by law.
Votes and immediate outcomes: the council recorded unanimous approvals (5-0) on the FY26 amendment (first reading), the tax-levy ordinance (first reading), the nonprofit appropriations ordinance (first reading) and the FY27 budget ordinance (first reading).
