Mountain Lake sets 50% minimum General Fund balance, adopts investment policy and 2026 rates

The Mountain Lake City Council unanimously approved several fiscal and administrative policies at its Jan. 5 meeting, including a resolution setting the city’s minimum General Fund balance at 50% of the current-year expenditure budget.

City Administrator Michael Mueller said the city’s primary revenues arrive late in the cycle, creating the need for greater liquidity. “The City of Mountain Lake requires adequate liquidity and working capital to operate, as its primary sources of revenue are not received until the fifth month of a six-month cycle. Therefore, the City designates 50% of its current-year General Fund expenditure budget as the minimum fund balance for working capital,” Mueller said.

The council adopted Resolution #1-26 by a 4–0 vote after Councilmember Andrew Ysker moved and Councilmember Jeff Jack seconded the motion. The resolution designates 50% of the current-year General Fund expenditure budget as the city’s minimum working-capital fund balance.

Councilmembers also reviewed and adopted the city’s investment policy with no changes from 2025. Councilmember Jeff Jack moved adoption of the Investment Policy, seconded by Andrew Ysker; the motion carried 4–0.

Separately, the council approved Ordinance #1-26, which establishes 2026 rates, fees and administrative fines. The transcript notes water, sewer and electric rates had been approved earlier; the ordinance covered additional fees and fines with new items indicated in red and prior figures shown struck through. The ordinance was approved on a 4–0 vote following a motion by Bryan Bargen and a second by Jeff Jack.

The measures took effect as procedural city actions recorded at the meeting; the council did not record any dissenting votes. The council also briefly reviewed the 2025 building-permit summary and the seniority list, and the meeting record shows no public comment during the public-comment period.

The council adjourned at 6:22 p.m.