Copperton council approves tentative FY2026–27 budget, sets June public hearing

The Copperton Town Council approved its tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget and scheduled a public hearing on the final budget for June 17, 2026.

Accounting Manager Daniel Hoffman presented the budget package and fund summaries to the council on May 20, noting Copperton maintains four funds (general, cemetery, beer tax, designated) and reported approximately $332,000 in unassigned fund balance available for discretionary use. Hoffman said about three to six months of reserves is the general guidance and that sales tax accounts for about 75 percent of the town's revenue. He also acknowledged a previously included chart error and said corrected charts would be circulated to the council.

Town Attorney Nathan Bracken reviewed statutory requirements for approving a tentative budget and setting a public hearing. Council Member Kathleen Bailey moved to approve Resolution R2026-07, which approves the town's tentative budget and sets the public hearing for June 17, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.; Council Member Tessa Stitzer seconded the motion and the vote was 5-0 in favor.

Other fiscal actions taken under the consent agenda included approval of the April 15, 2026 meeting minutes (motion passed 4-0 with Mayor Sean Clayton abstaining because he was absent at that earlier meeting) and approval of two invoices for legal services totaling $4,325.50 ($3,457.00 and $868.50), which passed 5-0.

The council did not adopt a final budget at the meeting; the June 17 public hearing will be the next required procedural step under state budget law.