Hayden council approves publication of FY2026 amendment and FY2027 tentative budget; $1.7M amendment included

Finance staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget amendment and FY2027 tentative budget and asked council to authorize publication and set a public hearing. The amendment adds roughly $1.7 million to Fund 130 (major capital) tied to the Ramsey/Honeysuckle property acquisition so the city's year-end audit will not show an over-expenditure in that fund.

Staff recommended publishing a 3% property-tax increase for advertisement purposes (with up to 5% budgeted for new construction as a conservative estimate until county new-construction values are available) and presented a proposed 5% sewer rate increase (about $3.25/month per ER) to build revenue for future capital expenses and to cover increases in Harv's (treatment provider) O&M costs. Council voted to authorize publication of the FY2026 amendment and the FY2027 tentative budget and scheduled the public hearing for Aug. 25, 2026.

Council members asked clarifying questions about fund balances, the Honeysuckle/Ramsey project cost exposure and the county's timing on new-construction figures; staff said the county had not yet provided final new-construction data and that publishing at a conservative maximum allows Council to adopt a lower final rate if needed. The sewer-rate proposal was framed as a measured 5% increase to build capital reserves rather than a single large spike.

What happens next: staff will publish the budget notices as required, circulate materials on the proposed FY2027 budget, and hold a public hearing on Aug. 25, 2026, before final adoption.