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Council adopts 2026–27 budget after contentious public testimony over city-recorder cut
Summary
After extensive public comment and questions about the proposed elimination of the city recorder position, Talent's council adopted the FY 2026'27 budget (Resolution 2026-143-R), set property tax rates, and directed staff to seek half the funding for the school resource officer from the Phoenix'Talent School District.
The Talent City Council adopted its fiscal year 2026'27 budget on June 3, approving Resolution 2026-143-R after a lengthy public hearing that focused on a proposed elimination of the city recorder position and the future of the school resource officer (SRO).
City Manager Alex Campbell presented a multi-phase public-engagement process and explained the budget'committee'recommended combination of revenue and expenditure changes intended to stop a projected decline in the general fund. Campbell told the council the budget package included a recommended reduction of one administrative FTE and that, if adopted as proposed, the city could expect a net general-fund savings of about $130,000 from the reorganization.
Public testimony at the hearing featured repeated objections to eliminating the city recorder post. Russell Hodgeim and several other residents said the recorder performs essential front-line functions, including elections, public records requests and serving as the first contact for many residents; Teamsters representatives warned the union would pursue legal remedies if the layoff proceeded. Don Watson, a school-board member who said he was attending as a private citizen, urged the council to preserve the SRO and offered district cooperation.
Councilors said they were mindful of the community feedback but balanced it against the city's fiscal trajectory. After deliberation the council adopted the budget resolution by roll call. Council also adopted related actions to categorize property taxes and to certify the city as eligible for state shared revenue (Resolutions 2026-144-R and 2026-145-R).
On the SRO, Councilor Perry Miller moved and the council approved a directive asking staff to seek one-half of the SRO'position'cost from the Phoenix'Talent School District and to return to council with the school'district'funding outcome before the start of the 2026'27 school year. Councilors discussed that the SRO spends substantial time in schools and that logistics (recruitment, training) mean any fall vacancy needs timely clarity from both parties.
Councilors and staff said the adopted budget preserves flexibility: staff can draw fund balance to bridge short-term differences while pursuing revenue options, but council members emphasized the need to consider long-term revenue changes and shared responsibility with partner agencies. The motion to adopt the FY 2026'27 budget passed on a roll-call vote with the council recorded as voting yes.
