Ridgetop adopts FY2026–27 budget in 3–2 vote after Alderman objects

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Ridgetop adopted Ordinance 2026-103, the city's annual budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, after a roll-call vote at the April 21 meeting at City Hall. The motion, made by Alderman Senft and seconded by Alderman Gregory, passed 3'to'2: Mayor Tim Shaw, Alderman Senft and Alderman Gregory voted yes; Vice Mayor Gilmore and Alderman Martin voted no.

City Recorder Kelly Rider reviewed the proposed budget for the board earlier in the meeting and answered questions from aldermen. The ordinance text filed with the board carries the standard effective dates for the coming fiscal year; the board did not include additional spending authorizations or line-item changes during the motion to adopt.

Alderman Martin voted against the ordinance. Separately during the meeting she criticized the proposal to create a paid community and economic development position for the city's small jurisdiction, saying she lacks the skills for that role and raising concerns about how appointments have been handled. "I have stated repeatedly I do not have the skills for this role," she said during discussion of community and economic development. Those remarks appeared elsewhere on the agenda and were not offered as a formal amendment to the budget ordinance.

Mayor Tim Shaw noted an unbudgeted legal expense the city recently incurred: "The city has been required to pay a $10,000 deductible" as a direct consequence of a lawsuit against the city, which he described as an expense not subject to prior board approval. The meeting did not include further detail on whether that deductible will affect specific budget line items beyond the general budget discussion.

The board approved the ordinance by the recorded vote and the budget takes effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. No subsequent amendments to Ordinance 2026-103 were made during the April 21 session.