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Mendon council approves midyear budget adjustments and adopts 2026–27 budget with funds for park cameras and staff raises
Summary
Mendon City Council approved midyear adjustments to the current budget and adopted the proposed FY2026–27 budget, allocating one‑time and carryover capital funds, adding a $42,200 donation to administration, funding security cameras for the park and pickleball courts, and approving staff pay increases.
Mayor (speaker 1) opened the meeting’s budget hearings and presented a line‑by‑line review of midyear adjustments and a proposed FY2026–27 budget, saying the city is in “good fiscal shape” while outlining transfers and one‑time carryovers.
The council approved the midyear adjustments by voice vote after the mayor explained a $42,200 donation designated for the library (referred to in the presentation as the “In the Shade of the Mountain / Mendon Books” donation), a proposal to return about $34,000 to the general reserve, and a request to add approximately $37,100 to the fire department budget in anticipation of wildfire‑related expenses and grants. The mayor summarized overall numbers: a 2026 budget of $3,135,007.34 (excluding anticipated $37,000 fire receipts) and forecasted expenditures of about $2,930,000.
In his FY2026–27 presentation the mayor asked the council to adopt a budget that includes increased administrative funding and targeted capital projects. He told the council he had ordered a playground estimated at $175,724.84 and listed other capital items (street lighting, cemetery mower, canal pump, and a new accounting software purchase estimated at about $14,000). “I take it darn serious because tax dollars are sacred funds,” the mayor said during his remarks.
Council discussed a proposal to add security cameras in public areas. The mayor described a network intended to cover the playground, restrooms, ballfield concessions/announcer booth and the pickleball courts; staff estimated $15,500 for park cameras and $8,700 for the pickleball court system (both amounts rounded up in the mayor’s presentation). Technical questions about resolution and plate‑reading ability were raised; IT and public‑works staff (speaker 7) said the equipment under consideration is 4K and can be zoomed for identification when necessary.
The council also reviewed proposed salary adjustments for staff: a 5% increase for the public‑works director (Kirk) and modest raises for deputy treasurer, recorder, clerks and selected hourly employees. The mayor framed the adjustments as investments in long‑time staff and argued the increases would keep the city competitive.
After discussion the council voted by voice to adopt the FY2026–27 budget as presented. The mayor assigned follow‑up steps: staff were directed to proceed with ordered capital items, to contact Altec to begin the camera project and other vendors, and to delay invoicing ("I don't want to see a bill until after July 1," the mayor said) so purchases align with the fiscal year timing.
What happens next: staff will place orders and manage carryovers and one‑time funding into the FY2027 accounts as described in the presentation; council asked to be notified when invoices and contracts are received for the approved capital items.
