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Council approves preliminary FY2026 budget after debate over fee‑schedule timing
Summary
Council approved the preliminary FY2026 budget by voice vote but debated whether a proposed decrease to a fire‑suppression fee could be acted on now or needed separate agenda placement; council postponed fee‑resolution changes until a later, properly scheduled action.
Council considered the preliminary FY2026 budget and the related procedural question of whether the fee‑resolution schedule could be amended at the same meeting. Treasurer Kelly Mickelson explained the preliminary budget is not the final appropriation and does not lock in fee revenues; council members debated whether decreases to the fee schedule require separate agenda placement.
Council member Thomas proposed decreasing a fire‑suppression fee from $28,000 to $10,000 and asked whether that change could be made now. City attorney Fuller advised that decreases generally do not require public hearings but noted procedural constraints if an item is not listed on the agenda. After discussion the council voted to approve the preliminary budget by voice vote and left fee‑schedule changes for a separate process or future meeting.
"What I would like to propose is on that fee resolution schedule under the item of fire suppression line that we decrease that fee from the current $28,000 to the amount of $10,000 for the upcoming budget year," Thomas said, though the council did not adopt that fee change at this meeting.
Why it matters: The preliminary budget sets parameters for the fiscal year and the dialog about fees signals further council review; any fee reductions will need explicit agenda placement and appropriate public notice before final action.
