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Council adopts FY27 preliminary budget; staff flags $2M ice rink roof replacement and tax levy increase
Summary
The Whitefish City Council approved the city manager’s FY27 preliminary budget, authorizing spending pending final taxable values. Staff warned of a proposed 10.1‑mill levy increase to cover wage and capital needs, highlighted a recommended full reconstruction of the Suncook Ice Den roof (estimates near $2.0–2.2 million) and said solar roof options could be explored in bidding.
Whitefish — On June 15 the Whitefish City Council adopted the city manager’s proposed FY27 preliminary budget, allowing staff to operate under the plan while final taxable values are confirmed in August.
City Manager Dana Meeker presented a balanced financial plan that projects a 2% taxable‑value increase for FY27 and requests a proposed levy increase of about 10.1 mills to address rising operational costs, wage adjustments and capital needs.
Meeker highlighted key capital items: replacement of aging fire apparatus and a full reconstruction of the Ice Den roof. “It is a full reconstruction — a removal and replacement — and that was estimated at $2.2 million in one set of quotes,” Meeker said, explaining staff chose a conservative reconstruction estimate rather than patching long‑running leaks.
Ice Den management and solar question: Parks and Recreation staff member Maria explained the city owns the building exterior and roof while the Whitefish Sports Facility Foundation operates the facility. Maria said leaks have been tracked for roughly 15 years; staff use buckets and have repeatedly patched trouble spots. She told council that the foundation currently lacks resources to contribute, but a solar roof can be evaluated as an additive alternate in bid documents.
Budget impacts and personnel: Meeker said the proposal includes a 4% general wage increase (2% COLA + 2% step), additional steps for police and a 5% range increase for fire, and projected health‑insurance premium increases of about 5%. Staff noted that until the state provides taxable values (expected Aug. 3) some budget decisions are preliminary and capital projects and new positions will not proceed until final adoption.
Council discussion: Members debated timing, tax burden, and tradeoffs between service levels and fiscal restraint. Some councilors urged caution about the size of the proposed property‑tax increase; others emphasized the need to fund long‑deferred capital maintenance (the ladder truck and Ice Den roof were highlighted repeatedly).
Action taken: Councillor Andy moved to approve the preliminary FY27 budget and set the final public hearing and adoption for Aug. 17; the motion passed unanimously.
What’s next: Staff will return with final taxable values in August, refine budget details and bring the final FY27 budget for council adoption. Bids for the Ice Den roof may include solar alternatives per council interest.
