Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edmonston council flags FY25–26 budget uncertainty, $200,000 speed‑camera shortfall
Summary
At a Feb. 25 work session, Town Administrator Rod Barnes warned of uncertain state and federal grant revenue, a roughly $200,000 deficit from speed‑camera ticketing and possible property tax adjustments; Police Chief Eric Beale outlined camera installation and enforcement plans.
At a Feb. 25 teleconference work session, the Town of Edmonston Town Council received an initial overview of the FY25–26 budget showing several revenue risks, Town Administrator Rod Barnes said.
Barnes told the council that revenue from state and federal grants is uncertain under the new administration and that while property valuations rose for FY26 the tax rate calculated under the constant‑yield method decreased. "Property tax increases may need to be considered," Barnes said, presenting those as options for balancing the budget.
Barnes also reported a deficit of approximately $200,000 tied to speed‑camera ticketing in the current fiscal year, a shortfall that he said affects overall revenue projections. He said the town is pursuing annexation of territory west of Edmonston Road to Emerson and east to Decatur Street — an area that includes homes on 53rd Avenue and a church — and that the annexation process typically takes about a year.
Police Chief Eric Beale described operational steps tied to enforcement revenue: a new speed camera is scheduled to be installed in April, with warnings to be issued in May and revenue expected to be reflected in June and July. Beale said the department is consulting the town attorney about installing a stop‑sign camera at Decatur Street and 52nd Avenue, which he identified as a school bus pick‑up site. He also noted that state aid can decrease if the police department is not fully staffed, though officers hired but attending the academy can count as staff for that purpose.
Council members were also told that the Public Works department budget has decreased and that expected utility increases may include providing power to streetlights in areas where the state formerly covered that cost.
The council approved a calendar for future budget workshops — a combined Council Work Session and Budget Workshop on Tuesday, March 4, and a Budget Work Session on March 25. The minutes do not record a roll‑call vote or tally for that approval.
Mayor Tracy R. Gant adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
