Blythewood council adopts FY2025-26 budget after amendment; votes 4-1

The Blythewood Town Council adopted the town FY2025-26 budget as amended during its May 27 meeting, approving changes to several line items and passing the measure on a 4-1 roll-call vote.

Councilman R. McKenrick moved to adopt Ordinance 2025.005 as amended, with Councilman D. Brock seconding. The amended package reverted the Town Events line (23-5110-373) to $0 until the council approves security plans for events in town parks; it increased Manor rental expenses (10-7120-250) from $20,000 to $24,000 and reduced Improvements (30-9110-575) from $10,000 to $2,800. The motion passed with Councilwoman E. Page, Councilman D. Brock, Councilwoman A. Fripp and Councilman R. McKenrick voting yes and Mayor S. Griffin voting no.

The council had debated whether to defer the budget for more information; an initial motion to postpone failed for lack of a second, after which the McKenrick motion to adopt prevailed. Interim Town Administrator Ed Driggers and Finance Director Julie Emory were present for budget discussion and answered council questions about revenue projections, administrative expenses and vendor/rental accounting.

Why it matters: the adopted budget sets town priorities and near-term spending levels, including a hold on funding for proposed events until security planning and cost estimates are presented. The changes to Manor rental and improvement line items shift available resources for facility operations and capital work in the coming year.

Council members also took multiple procedural votes during the meeting: Park Security items and two first-reading ordinances were deferred to a May 29 Special Call meeting; HVAC replacement at Doko Manor was postponed to May 29 to allow staff to obtain comparable quotes and clarify warranty and maintenance terms.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025.005 (FY2025-26 budget) Adopted as amended; mover: Councilman R. McKenrick; second: Councilman D. Brock; vote: Page yes, Brock yes, Fripp yes, McKenrick yes, Mayor Griffin no; outcome: approved 4-1. Ordinance 2025.003 (curfew for minors) Deferred to Special Call May 29; outcome: deferred (4-1 to defer earlier in meeting). Ordinance 2025.004 (park conduct/regulations) Deferred to Special Call May 29; outcome: deferred. HVAC replacement at Doko Manor Postponed to Special Call May 29 to allow staff to obtain comparable quotes; vote: 5-0 to defer.

What—omes next: several items were placed on a May 29 Special Call meeting agenda for further decisions, including park-security expenditures, certain ordinance first readings and the HVAC contract recommendation. The council will revisit event security plans before restoring funding for events in the adopted budget.

Source: Blythewood Town Council meeting minutes, May 27, 2025.