Orleans council adopts FY2026 budget estimate in unanimous vote

ORLEANS — The Orleans City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-22 adopting the fiscal year 2026 budget estimate during a special session on April 28, 2025, Mayor Bill Maas said.

The council approved the budget after Mayor Maas opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. and solicited verbal or written comments; none were received. City Clerk P. Kay Cmelik told the council the FY2026 estimate contains no remarkable changes from the previous draft. She said the new bond principal and interest for the 140th Street and Utility Improvements will be abated by the reserve balance in the debt service fund and therefore will not affect the tax levy for FY2026. Small increases were included for utilities, garbage and recycling, and the bulk of the capital improvements appropriation funds continued street construction as well as proposed Beach Avenue and Sunset Park improvements.

Councilmember Rick moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-22, and Councilmember Gable seconded. The motion carried on a recorded AYE vote by Councilmembers Rick, Gable, Radcliffe, Ostrum and Madagan (5–0). Earlier in the meeting, Councilmember Radcliffe moved — with Councilmember Ricks seconding — to approve the meeting agenda; that motion also carried. Radcliffe later moved to adjourn, seconded by Ricks; the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

The council did not record any public testimony on the FY2026 budget during the hearing. The resolution as adopted formalizes the expenditures discussed and the city clerk’s summary that the tax levy will not increase due to the bond abatement from the debt service reserve.