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Canton council holds FY2027 millage hearing and votes to keep rate at 5.25 mills
Summary
Finance staff presented options for FY2027 millage rates in light of a county fire-millage increase; after public comment and council discussion, the council voted to maintain the FY2026 rate of 5.25 mills and tabled the budget until August 20 for staff to reflect the county fire tax.
Finance Director Luckett presented the FY2027 millage-rate options and explained that because the county adopted a higher fire millage the city's effective fire-cost obligation will rise. Luckett said the digest showed a small decline that produced a revenue-neutral roll-forward of 5.276 mills; he outlined three options: hold 5.25, adopt the 5.276 revenue-neutral rate or adopt 5.411 (revenue-neutral plus county-fire equivalence).
City Manager and budget staff warned that the county fire increase would raise anticipated fire service costs and that continued reliance on reserves to balance recurring budget gaps is unsustainable. After public comments urging the council to hold the rate, Councilmember (speaker 13) moved to maintain the FY2026 rate of 5.25 mills. "I'd like to make a motion to maintain the fiscal year 2026 rate of 5.25," the councilmember said; the motion was seconded, and council recorded that all members voted in favor.
Council also voted to table the FY2027 proposed budget so staff can return on Aug. 20 with a revised plan that reflects the fire tax and the council's tax-rate decision.
