Early council adopts FY 2025-26 budget, approves $600,000 water improvement note

The Early City Council on April 22 adopted its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and authorized a $600,000 general obligation water improvement note following two published public hearings that attracted no speakers.

Mayor William Cougill called the regular meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. after the hearings. Councilor Brian Pickhinke moved to adopt Resolution 25-03, adopting the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget as published in the Chronicle on April 10, 2025; Councilor Tim Langner seconded. On a roll-call vote, Councilors Pickhinke, Langner and Christine Madden voted yes; Councilors Brandon Scadden and Cory Tiefenthaler were absent. The mayor declared the resolution adopted.

Councilor Tim Langner then offered Resolution 25-04, approving a private placement and insured $600,000 general obligation water improvement note and providing for the related tax levy to repay the note. Councilor Pickhinke seconded; the same three councilors voted yes and the mayor declared the resolution adopted.

Both matters had been the subject of published notices and separate public hearings (the budget hearing opened at 6:00 p.m. and closed at 6:12 p.m.; the loan agreement hearing opened at 6:15 p.m. and closed at 6:17 p.m.). The record states that no residents or taxpayers appeared to speak for or against either proposal during those hearings.

A motion to adjourn at 6:20 p.m., made by Councilor Pickhinke and seconded by Councilor Madden, passed unanimously among those present and the meeting closed. The meeting minutes were signed by Mayor William Cougill and City Clerk Lexi Wallace.

Resolution numbers, vote tallies and the published notice date are reflected in the official minutes and the two resolutions adopted at the meeting.