Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prescott council tentatively adopts $311.5M FY2027 budget, sets public hearings
Summary
The council voted 7–0 to tentatively adopt the FY2027 budget (Resolution 2026-1984), setting expenditure limits and public hearing dates; the balanced $311,496,498 plan funds capital projects, public safety hires, and Prop 478 work but drew council questions about a proposed $48M property-and-evidence facility and how property-tax notices are worded.
Prescott City Council on June 9 tentatively adopted its fiscal year 2027 budget, approving Resolution 2026-1984 and setting public hearings for final adoption. The action sets the city’s maximum expenditure limit for the coming fiscal year and directs staff to publish the statutorily required notices and materials.
Finance Director Lars Johnson told the council the proposed $311,496,498 budget is balanced and aligned with the council’s strategic plan. He highlighted the five-year capital investment program and said the tentative package includes funding for four new police officers, a new emergency manager, court operations, continued Prop 478 projects and investments in wastewater, water, streets, parks and library facilities.
Council members asked detailed questions about funding sources and specific line items. Several members pressed staff to publish practical examples explaining how the property-tax levy would affect typical home values (state statute requires per‑$100,000 language), and to provide a clearer reconciliation of Prop 478 commitments prior to the final vote. Finance staff said the statutory phrasing (per $100,000) must be used in public notices but agreed to explore additional explanatory graphics or examples to clarify impacts for residents.
A councilor questioned a $48 million line item for a new property‑and‑evidence facility and compared it with a recent Mesa project cost, expressing concern about site‑preparation and overall value; finance staff and other council members asked for additional detail and alternatives before final approval. Council members also discussed the use of one‑time fund balances and the plan to issue debt for certain capital projects while relying on impact fees to fund development‑related infrastructure.
The motion to tentatively adopt Resolution 2026-1984 passed 7–0. Final public hearings on the budget and the property‑tax levy were scheduled for the council’s June 23 meeting; the statutory timeline after the hearings will determine the final adoption schedule in July.
Council instructed staff to publish clearer examples for public notices, to provide a reconciliation of Prop 478 expenditures for public review prior to the final vote, and to return with additional cost detail on the property‑and‑evidence facility and other questioned capital items.
