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Big Water council adopts $1.17 million budget, wildland-urban interface code and other measures
Summary
The Big Water Town Council unanimously approved the FY2026–27 budget totaling $1,169,728 and adopted an ordinance implementing the Wildland-Urban Interface code; the council also approved a communications-site agreement, personnel policy changes and a fraud-risk assessment, and postponed action on engine-brake signage to July.
Mayor David Schmuker and the Big Water Town Council unanimously approved a package of budget and policy measures at their June 17 meeting, including adoption of the town’s FY2026–27 budget totaling $1,169,728.
The council adopted Resolution 2026-12 to finalize the budget after a work-session discussion on balancing shortfalls in the Fire Department and possible cuts to part-time employee appreciation pay. During the work session, Councilmember Jennie Lassen said the council had removed cost-of-living adjustments and proposed cutting the occasional appreciation payments for part-time staff to narrow the deficit; Treasurer Peggy Short said that appreciation pay is not included in the town’s Personnel Policies and Procedures and that trimming it reduces the current-year expense. Treasurer Short later returned a balanced draft for council adoption.
The budget vote followed other unanimous decisions. Councilmember Jim Lybarger moved to adopt Ordinance 08-2026 to implement the Wildland-Urban Interface code; Jennie Lassen seconded and the ordinance passed. The council also approved a Communications Site Agreement that town counsel reviewed, adopted changes to Section 14.3 of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual (Resolution 2026-13), certified the town’s tax rate as required by the county, and approved a Fraud Risk Assessment.
In other business, the council approved Resolution 2026-15 delegating authority to the Glen Canyon Special Service District, and it approved the town’s financial statements and check register for the period presented. Councilmembers agreed to continue discussion of installing “No Engine Brake” signs on Highway 89 to the July regular meeting after concerns about enforcement costs (estimated at about $2,500) and community input were raised.
Fire Chief Cameron Westenskow reported that the fire department has 21 calls so far this month, two new staff hires, repairs that came in under estimate and plans to apply for two upcoming grants (approximately $75,000 and $50,000) for SCBA gear. Marshal Russ Johnson’s May report—read during the meeting—recorded 32 cases with 11 new cases as of the report date. During the public-comment period, residents raised concerns about speeding on Highway 89 and proposed increasing visible police presence to slow traffic.
The meeting opened with a work session at 6:31 p.m. to review the budget and other agenda items; the council held public hearings on the finalized budget and the Wildland-Urban Interface code but received no public comments during those hearings. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2026-12 (Adopt budget): mover Mark Gangola, second Jim Lybarger, vote 4–0 (Schmuker, Lybarger, Gangola, Lassen) — approved. Ordinance 08-2026 (WUI code): mover Jim Lybarger, second Jennie Lassen — approved 4–0. Communications Site Agreement: mover Jennie Lassen, second Mark Gangola — approved 4–0. Resolution 2026-13 (PPP change): mover Jennie Lassen, second Jim Lybarger — approved 4–0. Resolution 2026-15 (delegate to Glen Canyon SSD): mover Jennie Lassen, second Mark Gangola — approved 4–0. Fraud Risk Assessment: mover Mark Gangola, second Jim Lybarger — approved 4–0. Financials & check register: mover Jennie Lassen, second Mark Gangola — approved 4–0. Action on No Engine Brake signs: continued to July meeting (mover Jennie Lassen, second Jim Lybarger).
