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Council gives preliminary approval to 2027 budget, sets Sept. 8 public hearing
Summary
City staff presented the mayor's proposed 2027 budget with a 1.1 mill reduction and reinstated arts regrant funding of $159,135; after discussion on rates and procurement, council voted 5-1 to give preliminary approval and set a Sept. 8 public hearing.
City staff presented the mayor's proposed 2027 preliminary budget and asked the council to set a public hearing on Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Dorstad, presenting the highlights, said the draft includes a 1.1 mill reduction and that for a $250,000 home the change would be "a dollar 88 per month, or 2.3%." She also said the staff report noted a 15% increase budgeted for health insurance and that the mayor had reinstated arts regrant funding in the draft, a $159,135 line item.
Council members questioned procurement practices, credit-card usage and the drivers of utility-rate increases. Ms. Lasowski called for a review of vendor purchases and tighter centralized purchasing; Dorstad replied that departments currently control procurement within approved budgets but could revisit centralization if council directed.
After debate and an unsuccessful amendment to restore Community Service Grant funding, Vice President moved to approve the preliminary budget and set the public hearing. The motion passed by roll call 5-1, with Ms. Berg recorded as the lone no vote. Dorstad closed by reminding council that preliminary approval allows reductions before final adoption but not increases.
