Mentor on the Lake council unanimously approves 2027 budget resolution

The Mentor on the Lake City Council approved Resolution 2026-R-22, the city’s 2027 budget, in a unanimous 7–0 roll-call vote after a public hearing produced no speakers for or against the measure. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Councilmember Bittner and seconded by Councilmember Thompson.

Administrative Director Eva summarized the budget during the public hearing, noting that the city’s carryover fund was reduced — she said the carryover is only “trying to put, like, 3%” — and that the county (referred to in the meeting as South Atlantic County) will ultimately decide certain tax numbers. Council also noted that new state law changed some procedural review this year and that existing levies were not being increased.

There were no public comments in favor or opposed during the hearing; the chair closed the hearing at 7:02 p.m. After a short council discussion, the resolution was read by title, a motion to adopt was made by Councilmember Bittner and seconded by Councilmember Thompson, and the clerk recorded all votes as “Aye.” The council president announced the measure passed on third reading.

Because the resolution was presented as an emergency item and staff noted timing constraints, council members emphasized that the process this year places additional scrutiny on the justification for tax levies and on how general fund allocations support the request. The council did not change levy rates as part of this action.

The resolution’s adoption completes the council’s formal vote on the 2027 budget; additional implementation details and any intergovernmental approvals will be handled by the administration and noted in future meetings.