Maxwell council adopts FY2526 budget after clarifying employee-benefits account

The Maxwell City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025-20, approving the city's fiscal year 2526 budget after approving amended language clarifying the use of account 112 for employee benefits.

Council members opened and then closed a public hearing on the FY2526 budget before debating language in the draft resolution that described how benefit costs would be tracked. Council discussion focused on whether the resolution should require transfers between accounts or allow direct expenditures from account 112 for employee benefits. A staff member explained that account 112 is the tax fund and that moving to direct expenditures would eliminate a separate transfer step; council members noted the change was a recommendation from the auditor and the department of management.

After discussion, the council agreed to revised wording stating that the City of Maxwell "will set up an expense account for employee benefits in account 112" and that FICA and IPERS payments for all employees and elected officials will be paid from that account. Council members moved and seconded the correction, voted on the amendments, and then approved the revised resolution. Recorded votes on the final adoption show Joel, Steve, Doug, Sue and Ken voting Yes; the resolution was approved.

Separately, the council approved Resolution 2025-21 calling for a public hearing to amend the 24-25 budget and scheduled that hearing for the council's regular meeting on May 14. The council also confirmed that the notice of the hearing had been published on April 17, 2025, in the Tri County Times and included that fact in the amendment.

The meeting concluded with no items under Mayor/Council reports and routine procedural business. The approved resolution and the scheduled May 14 hearing are the next formal steps on the city's budget calendar.