Buhl council adopts $1.39 million 2026 budget, certifies $447,920 levy in 4–1 vote

The Buhl City Council voted Dec. 16 to adopt a $1,394,857 fiscal year 2026 budget and to certify a $447,920 property tax levy. The budget passed on a 4–1 roll call (Councilors Kealy, Loeffler, Teska-Erickson and Towner voted in favor; Mayor James Matthews voted no).

The adopted spending plan allocates $1,107,800 to the General Fund, $146,977 to the Library fund, $55,256 for debt service and $84,824 to designated capital. Councilors and staff said the final levy and budget reflect changes made after a Truth-in-Taxation hearing and a December budget working session that trimmed the earlier proposed shortfall.

Councilor Towner moved to accept Resolution 25-47 adopting the budget; the motion carried 4–1. The council subsequently moved to adopt Resolution 25-48 certifying the levy and to transmit the certified copy to the St. Louis County Auditor.

Mayor Matthews acknowledged the time spent preparing the budget and said the final levy was lower than the initial proposal, though he said the council "could have done better," expressing a preference for additional reductions.

The council and staff identified specific departmental allocations during the meeting: city administration, public safety and streets received the larger line-item shares; library building and operations were budgeted at $146,977. The amended preliminary budget discussions earlier in December narrowed an initial projected shortfall and reduced the recommended levy from a higher preliminary figure to the adopted $447,920.

Next steps: the council executed Resolutions 25-47 and 25-48 at the meeting and directed staff to transmit the certified levy to the county auditor for collection in 2026.