Council reviews FY 2026–2027 tentative budget as staff weigh ladder truck timing and rate changes

Finance Director Cathy Jensen presented the updated FY 2026–2027 tentative budget and said the Certified Tax Rate had not yet been received from the state; she also said the city is not pursuing a Truth-in-Taxation tax increase for the coming year. Jensen reviewed line-item changes and identified projects needing follow-up, including an updated Sewer Master Plan and an impact-fee update (last performed in 2020). The updated tentative budget total presented at the meeting was $126,573,786.

During discussion Fire Chief Scott Spencer told council members the timeline to order and receive a new ladder truck is approximately four years and that payment is due upon delivery. Councilmembers raised concerns about public perception of purchasing large capital equipment while other projects are funded; they also asked staff to identify savings and explained they preferred to avoid tax increases. Staff noted Republic Services will raise the recycling rate by $0.31 per account, a change the council accepted because it is driven by the contractor. Councilmembers encouraged clearer public communications about utility rates and asked staff to return with options for savings and rate studies.