Ainsworth council adopts 2025–26 budget after public hearing; tax request to be set at Sept. 22 joint meeting

The Ainsworth City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1564 on Sept. 1 to set the city’s 2025–26 budget, after a public hearing that reviewed revenues, reserves and cost pressures.

At the hearing Lisa summarized the proposed numbers, saying, “the proposed property taxes this year are $669,761.30.” She told the council the city’s valuation rose roughly 15 percent — to about $126 million — and that major cost drivers included a roughly 42 percent increase in medical insurance and about a 26 percent rise in property insurance. To limit rate shock, the council retained the base property tax rate at $0.45 per $100 valuation, while accounting for an 8‑cent levy tied to a voter‑approved special levy for the care center that yields about $100,000.

Why it matters: The adopted budget funds routine operations, modest capital maintenance and retains an estimated year‑end cash balance of roughly $3 million. Council members said the plan is intentionally conservative to preserve liquidity while capital projects remain limited this year.

The council emphasized that the tax request — the levy that can trigger a joint public hearing under state rules — remains separate from the budget adoption. Because the special care‑center levy affects the allowable growth threshold, the city will participate in the required joint public hearing (the so‑called “pink postcard” meeting) scheduled for Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in Ainsworth. The council invited residents to attend to hear the city’s justification for the levy request.

The ordinance adoption followed a roll‑call vote; the measure passed unanimously. The council closed the budget hearing at 5:16 p.m. and moved on to other business.