Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pawnee City Auditor presents FY2025-26 budget; property tax request set at $181,127.14
Summary
City Auditor Julie Bauman presented the proposed FY2025-26 budget at a Sept. 8 special hearing in Pawnee City, reporting a property tax request of $181,127.14 (plus $55,000 for a street bond). Officials said a requested $3 garbage-rate increase from Seneca Sanitation would require a later budget amendment.
Pawnee City officials heard a presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget at a special budget hearing Sept. 8 in the Cornerstone Community Building.
City Auditor Julie Bauman went over the final budget numbers, which she said had not changed since the prior meeting. She told the council that amending the budget later would be straightforward if needed: "that would not be a problem at all because when you amend your budget, the State wants to know where that money is coming from." Clerk Tamela S. Curtis and Bauman said that if the council approves Seneca Sanitation's requested $3 increase to garbage rates, the city would need to amend the budget to show the additional revenue flowing through the Garbage Fund to Seneca Sanitation.
Bauman reported a property tax request of $181,127.14, with $55,000 earmarked for the Street Bond payment, for a combined total of $236,127.14. She said the city's valuation was $43,812,263 — a 22% increase — and noted the city could have pursued roughly $36,000 more in tax revenue had it chosen to send the required postcard notice and hold a second joint public hearing with the county. The auditor also noted that the proposed overall operating budget was about 3% less than in 2024 and that the tax rate was about 16% lower.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Council Member Vickie Zelenka moved to open the budget hearing at 6:32 p.m.; Council Member Donnie Fisher seconded and a roll-call vote showed all present voting in favor. The council closed the hearing at 6:56 p.m. by the same vote.
The hearing record lists Mayor Charlie Hatfield; Council Members Donnie Fisher, Vickie Zelenka and Pat Hatfield; City Clerk/Treasurer Tamela S. Curtis; Deputy Clerk Kellie Wiers; and City Auditor Julie Bauman as present. Council Member Susan Eisenhauer was absent. The meeting notice and agenda were published in the Pawnee Republican and are on file with the City Clerk.
