West Frankfort council adopts FY2026–27 budget, continues SRO agreement

The West Frankfort City Council adopted an ordinance establishing the city’s budget for the fiscal year beginning May 2026 and ending April 2027 at its July 14 meeting. Mayor Artview recognized Commissioner Keith Howard to present the appropriation hearing before the formal vote.

Commissioner Keith Howard outlined the budget and said the city may end the year with a small surplus largely because of an expected closing on the sale of the West Springfield Incubator. “That’s going to give us a little bit of a shot in the arm,” Howard said, adding that enterprise funds such as water, sewer and garbage are budgeted to be self-sustaining and that pension obligations are driving levy increases required by state law.

Council members approved the ordinance by roll call following the hearing. The adopted budget also preserves separate funds for tourism and lake operations, and reflects actuarial-driven adjustments to police and fire pension levies that Howard said the state requires the city to address.

Separately during the same meeting the council approved an intergovernmental agreement to provide a school resource officer for the 2026–27 school year. The mayor said the SRO arrangement continues an existing contract and the motion to approve the agreement passed by roll call.

Why it matters: the budget guides city spending across general, enterprise and restricted funds for the coming year and includes a planned contribution to address pension liabilities; the SRO agreement continues city support of an on-campus officer for the coming school year.

What’s next: the budget ordinance takes effect as adopted; the SRO agreement covers the 2026–27 school year. Any substantive changes to funding or unexpected reductions in the anticipated sale proceeds would require future council action.