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Council reviews preliminary FY 2025–26 budget and sets Sept. 18 budget hearing, Sept. 25 tax-rate hearing
Summary
City staff presented a preliminary $8.2M revenue outlook and $4.9M in proposed expenditures, leaving about $3.2M (six months operating) in reserves; council set a budget hearing for Sept. 18 and a tax-rate hearing for Sept. 25 with a not-to-exceed voter-approval notice of 0.585650, prompting calls for additional review by some members.
City staff presented a preliminary FY2025–26 budget and a range of tax-rate options. Staff reported combined fund balances and revenues of roughly $8.2 million, projected expenses of about $4.9 million across city functions, and estimated reserves near $3.2 million (roughly six months of operating expenses). Staff recommended creating an emergency-management fund of $66,000 to cover Flock safety camera costs and described proposed tax-rate choices, including a 'voter-approval' not‑to‑exceed rate of 0.585650.
Council voted to set a public hearing to adopt the budget for Sept. 18 and to set a tax-rate hearing for Sept. 25 that would carry the required statutory wording ("not to exceed the voter‑approval rate"). Some council members urged an additional workshop to review department-level changes and to consider a conservative approach; the city attorney explained the statutory notice language required for the tax-rate hearing. The mayor said staff will finalize and post the cleaned budget before the hearings.
Why it matters: The proposed budget frames city services, capital plans and the tax levy for the coming year. The proposed not‑to‑exceed rate, if pursued, would require voter notice and is the basis for public hearings; council members requested more time to vet department budgets and proposed an ordinance to return unspent funds to reserves.
