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Bluff council adopts FY27 budget, sets slightly lower certified tax rate
Summary
The Bluff Town Council adopted its final fiscal year 2027 budget and approved a slightly lower certified tax rate, saying rising property valuations let the town collect about the same revenue while reducing the rate; the tax-rate measure passed 4–1 and the budget passed unanimously.
The Bluff Town Council adopted its final FY27 budget and voted to set a certified tax rate that drops modestly as property valuations in town rose.
The council voted 4–1 on a resolution to adopt a certified tax rate of 0.000531 for fiscal year 2027 and then approved the final budget in a separate roll-call vote, 5–0. The chair said the council removed a proposed tax increase during a prior work session and that the new rate reflects growth in property values rather than higher tax collections.
Why it matters: The change keeps the town’s overall tax revenue roughly flat while reflecting new growth. Council and staff said the budget incorporates those choices and shifts certain capital expenses into capital funds so unspent project money can roll forward rather than mix into the operating budget.
Council discussion and figures: The chair explained the rate fell from 0.000543 to 0.000531 because aggregate property valuations rose from $60,880,000 to $63,670,000. "Very, very, very minuscule reduction in the tax rate," the chair said, emphasizing the adjustment was driven by assessed-value growth. Aaron Nelson, the town manager, walked the council through specific line items, noting an airport balance that will roll into next year and an EMS supplies fund of $6,002.12 raised through fundraising and partially spent this year.
Staff also described an insurance quote increase that required line-item adjustments and confirmed that capital projects are now budgeted in separate capital funds to improve clarity and allow unspent project funds to carry forward. Staff said the budget incorporates changes discussed at a prior work session intended to cover roughly a $50,000 difference tied to the tax decision.
What the vote recorded: The transcript records the tallies (tax-rate resolution 4–1; budget 5–0). Individual roll-call votes by member name were not specified in the audio transcript provided to the council; the record lists only the final tallies.
Next steps: With the votes, staff will finalize budget documentation for the county and tax commission and continue administering projects under the adopted FY27 framework.
