Budget committee reviews tentative FY27 budget, sets aside funds for Sheridan Meadows and debates K‑9 vehicle replacement

Nevada presented the tentative fiscal‑year 2027 budget and walked council members through recommended capital priorities, including $350,000 proposed for sidewalk infill, funds for a new police squad, a Class‑8 chassis dump truck for public works and initial capital for a Sheridan Meadows Pond project.

The committee heard that the $350,000 sidewalk allocation would translate to roughly “11,500 lineal feet of sidewalk,” according to Nevada, who said prioritization would focus on safety, ADA gaps, school routes and high‑traffic gaps. She also described moving excess park‑board operating funds into a capital fund to begin saving for Sheridan Meadows work.

Why it matters: Council members pressed for clearer scope and cost before committing significant local dollars to Sheridan Meadows. Nevada said a steering committee (including the mayor, a park‑board member, some council members and staff) has developed project options and that the city recently obtained a jurisdictional determination and wetlands delineation needed to shape design and permitting. She estimated project costs could range “somewhere between $750,000 to $1,000,000 plus,” and said typical grant programs require a local match (commonly an 80/20 state/federal to local split, or sometimes a 50/50 match).

Council members repeatedly asked when a recommendation would come before the full council. Nevada said staff will continue vetting options and grants and expects to present a recommended project and costs to both the park board and the council during the current fiscal year once design and funding options are clearer.

Fire department and governance: Committee members asked whether allocated fire capital depends on whether the fire department remains independent. Nevada said firefighters submitted a revised budget and that staff will meet with department representatives; a decision on whether the department remains independent or becomes a city operation is expected to be clearer after an upcoming Wednesday meeting, and staff intend to bring a proposal to the council for action soon.

Revenue and reserves: Nevada also told the committee the city’s sales‑tax fund currently holds roughly 500% of annual sales‑tax revenue in reserves. She warned that holding large unspecified reserves can harm bond ratings and recommended moving funds into defined capital projects; state budget rules require funds to be allocated to a defined project to be shown as something other than reserves in the state system.

K‑9 vehicle and fleet replacements: Council members debated whether to follow a mechanic’s recommendation to swap the K‑9 unit’s engine (a lower‑cost repair aimed at prolonging the current vehicle) or instead replace and fully upfit a newer vehicle now. Council members argued a full replacement would avoid a situation where the city lacks a backup K‑9 vehicle if the current unit fails; Nevada recommended leaving the budget figures unchanged for the certification deadline and amending the budget later if additional funds are needed.

Account shortfall: Nevada reported a past misestimate of a rebate to LMT left the unified tip area account about $29,000 short in FY27; staff plan to certify an additional $29,000 in the next certification so the account returns to balance in the following fiscal year.

Process and next steps: Several council members raised procedural concerns about question timing; one member said, “I have the legal right to ask the question in a public meeting,” and the chair responded “Ask away,” reflecting a disagreement over whether questions should have been submitted in writing before the meeting. Nevada said she will update and redistribute budget pages and that the budget will be on the full council agenda for the 20th for further action.

The meeting adjourned by voice vote after a motion and second; there was no vote tonight to adopt the budget.