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Westfir budget officer warns of shortfall; proposes new fees and rate changes
Summary
Budget Officer Nicole Tritten told the Budget Committee the proposed FY2025–2026 budget totals $1,429,356 and warned the city faces a projected General Fund shortfall unless new revenue sources or rate changes are adopted.
Budget Officer Nicole Tritten told the Budget Committee the proposed fiscal year 2025–2026 budget totals $1,429,356 and warned the city faces serious funding challenges.
Nicole presented three broad options to cover future shortfalls: a municipal fee on utility bills, a substantial increase in sewer rates to shift subsidies away from the General Fund, or limited conversion of some highway funds for police services—an option she said she was researching with the County. She cautioned that relying on one-time monies for operations would set the city up for future funding gaps.
The presentation included fund balances and notes on constrained operating capacity: "The amount of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–2026 is $1,429,356," Nicole stated, and she emphasized the need to find additional income by FY2026–2027.
Committee members asked for clarifications about state and federal grant reliability and asked staff to return with specific proposals and dollar estimates for any recommended new fees. The Committee did not adopt any new revenue measures at the meeting; the budget message was received for review.
