Randle board approves 2026 budget and salary ordinance; tax-rate line flagged as misprint

The Town of Randle Board approved the town’s 2026 budget and a same-as-last-year salary ordinance at its Oct. 20 meeting.

Board President Caitlyn Ruth, who opened the meeting, read the ordinance figures presented for next year, including a riverboat fund of $116,000; general fund $22,950; local road/street $10,000; motor vehicle highway $20,000; cumulative capital $600; economic development $1,000; and a special community capital line of $191. After members reviewed the figures, a council member moved to approve the budget and the motion was seconded; the board indicated approval by voice.

Why it matters: the budget sets the town’s spending priorities for the year and identifies restricted revenue sources. President Ruth told the board that moving funds between lines will require a formal ordinance prepared by the town attorney and likely could wait until next year.

During the budget discussion a member flagged a likely misprint in the adopted tax-rate field, which the transcript recorded as showing "2020" or "202 pennies." President Ruth clarified that the board does not set the maximum tax rate and that the entry was not prepared by the local board. "We don't get a choice in what our max is," she said.

The board also moved and seconded approval of the 2026 salary ordinance, described as unchanged from the prior year except for the effective year, and noted the ordinance must be completed by Dec. 31. Members discussed signing the ordinance form and indicating "yay" or "nay" on the signature sheet.

No roll-call vote counts were recorded in the meeting transcript for these approvals; motions were seconded and carried by voice. The board indicated it will return to any required ordinance drafting with guidance from the town attorney, Adam, at a future meeting.