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Mt. Vernon council adopts 2026–27 budget, approves $1.43M in vouchers and awards July 4 fireworks contract
Summary
At its April 20 meeting, the Mt. Vernon City Council adopted the 2026–27 fiscal-year budget, approved $1,432,374.09 in consolidated vouchers, awarded a fireworks contract for the city's 250th Fourth of July celebration, approved two street closures, and authorized seeking engineering proposals for a new radio tower.
The Mt. Vernon City Council on April 20 approved the city's 2026–27 budget, authorized $1,432,374.09 in consolidated vouchers and awarded a fireworks contract for the city's 250th Fourth of July celebration.
The council, meeting in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, approved Ordinance #2026-17 on second reading; City Manager Nathan McKenna said there were no changes from the first reading. Council members Joe Gliosci, Jay Tate and Mike Young voted in favor; Council Member Donte Moore was absent.
Council members also approved payment of $1,432,374.09 in consolidated accounts payable, a packet of unnamed claims and invoices that the clerk presented for council approval. Council Member Joe Gliosci moved the vouchers; Council Member Mike Young seconded and the motion carried.
For the city's Fourth of July "Salute to Freedom," staff recommended and the council awarded a three-year fireworks contract to J & M Displays, which recently acquired Central States Fireworks. The council approved spending $45,000 for the 2026 display (the 250th anniversary year) and $40,000 for each of the following two years.
The council granted a temporary street closure on 9th Street from Casey to Jordan for the Mt. Vernon Big Spring Carnival. Tourism Director Angela Schrum described plans for more than 20 attractions, rides and food vendors; event setup was scheduled to begin April 26 with the carnival running April 29–May 3. The council also approved a recurring street closure for Jordan Street between 10th and 12th Streets from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month May through October to accommodate Kingsman Auto Club events, in partnership with Friday Food and Art.
Council members authorized staff to seek proposals for engineering services to site and design a roughly 200-foot radio tower on the west side of North Davidson to relocate communications equipment now at the old police station. Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Jennings, who also coordinates the Mt. Vernon Emergency Management Agency, told the council that FAA permitting and design complexity justify hiring an engineering or consulting firm; he estimated permitting would take at least six months. McKenna said the project would be a joint effort with the City, the 911 board and Jefferson County with cost sharing, and that the tower would serve emergency services and meter-reading equipment.
Mayor John Lewis presented several reappointments: Glinda McChristian to the Minority Affairs & Human Relations Commission and Charles Jones, Dean Dickerson and Bob Feltmeier to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The council approved the reappointments on a consent agenda.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Brian Fuller of First Baptist Church of Woodlawn and was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
