Meservey council approves preliminary FY27 levy, schedules hearings and special meeting; adopts resolution to consider bill credits

The Meservey City Council on Feb. 9 approved its preliminary FY27 tax levy, set public hearings and a special meeting to finalize the budget, scheduled a public hearing on a proposed water-rate ordinance amendment, and adopted Resolution 2026-04 to suspend Ordinance 2025-02 so the council can consider bill credits.

The meeting, called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Richard Miller, recorded council members Mike McNutt, Jennifer Burke, Mike Gobeli and Cyneva Myers as present. Councilmember Jennifer Burke moved to approve the FY27 preliminary levy as presented; the motion, seconded by Mike Gobeli, passed unanimously.

The council also set a public hearing on the tax levy for March 30 at 5:30 p.m. (motion by Cyneva Myers; second by Mike McNutt) and scheduled a special meeting for March 30 at 6:00 p.m. to approve the full FY27 budget (motion by Mike Gobeli; second by Jennifer Burke). Those motions carried without recorded opposition.

Councilmember Mike Gobeli moved to place Ordinance Amendment 2026-01 (water rates) on file and to set a public hearing for March 9 at 6:00 p.m.; Jennifer Burke seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

On Resolution 2026-04, which would suspend Ordinance 2025-02 to allow the council to consider bill credits, Councilmember Cyneva Myers moved approval and Mike Gobeli seconded. The resolution passed on a roll call vote recorded as four ayes and one absent; the minutes do not identify which seat was absent.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of FY27 preliminary levy: motion Burke; second Gobeli; outcome: approved unanimously. - Set public hearing (tax levy): motion Myers; second McNutt; outcome: approved unanimously; hearing set for March 30, 5:30 p.m. - Special meeting to finalize budget: motion Gobeli; second Burke; outcome: approved unanimously; meeting set for March 30, 6:00 p.m. - Ordinance Amendment 2026-01 (water rates) hearing: motion Gobeli; second Burke; outcome: approved unanimously; hearing set for March 9, 6:00 p.m. - Resolution 2026-04 (suspend Ordinance 2025-02 to consider bill credits): motion Myers; second Gobeli; outcome: approved (roll call: 4 ayes, 1 absent).

The council recorded detailed expenditures and receipts in the meeting materials, including SRF loan proceeds of $72,118.59 and an engineering invoice to Short Elliott Hendrickson for $11,632.20. The council also set follow-up items and hearings necessary to complete the FY27 budget process. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.