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Staff previews 2027 budget constraints: 3% property tax cap and proposed 3% COLA placeholder
Summary
Finance staff outlined timelines and constraints for the 2027 preliminary budget: a 3% property tax cap yields a levy increase ceiling of $65,606, raising the levy-based budget maximum to $2,252,466 from $2,182,047; staff proposed a 3% placeholder cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and set special meeting dates ahead of the Aug. 10 county filing deadline.
City finance staff provided an early briefing on the 2027 budget process and major constraints.
The presenter (Speaker 6) said the city must adhere to a 3% property tax cap. He calculated the cap’s dollar impact as $65,606 and reported the 2026 budget figure of $2,182,047; applying the cap the maximum levy-based budget for 2027 would be $2,252,466. Staff proposed a 3% placeholder for a cost-of-living adjustment and cautioned that each percentage point of COLA would have a material dollar impact on the general fund (the presenter gave a $42,000 per-percentage estimate for the general fund). The presenter also outlined the proposed timeline: special meetings for departmental presentations and a planned preliminary budget approval before submission to the county by Aug. 10.
Commissioners discussed labor costs and salary schedule reviews, public-safety staffing and when more detailed departmental numbers will be available. Staff said department heads and outside agencies will present on July 29 and Aug. 3, with a final special meeting proposed for Aug. 5 to approve the preliminary budget for county submission. No changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will return with detailed salary schedules and departmental requests for formal consideration.
