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Lewiston budget plan would raise certified levy; council debates alternatives
Summary
City staff proposed a FY2027 budget that would increase the certified property‑tax levy to cover a mix of ongoing and one‑time costs; staff and residents debated foregone taxes, reserves and alternatives and the council directed staff to prepare an alternative budget option.
City finance staff presented a proposed FY2027 budget that relies in part on property‑tax adjustments to maintain services and support facilities, Finance Director Amy Gordon said. The proposed budget incorporates a 2% property‑tax increase package (including 1% earmarked for facilities), a recommended COLA and several partial or one‑time items; Gordon explained the mechanics of statutory increases and foregone taxes and proposed reducing the advertised certified amount to reflect higher personal property replacement dollars from the state.
"Because the personal property tax replacement dollars has increased, that means we can reduce the amount that we certify in taxes," Amy Gordon told the council, laying out amendment language to lower the certified tax dollar amount in the ordinance. Gordon walked council through how the city's property‑tax base, foregone taxes and new construction values interact with the certified levy and said the net impact to local taxpayers in the draft budget would be a net levy change near 2.6% after replacement dollars are applied.
The council discussed alternatives and a proposal to direct staff to prepare a balanced FY2027 budget that would not increase property‑tax revenue above FY2026 levels (except for new construction/annexation). Councilor Spickelmeyer raised concerns about a multi‑year jump in property‑tax revenue and asked staff to return an alternative that holds the levy flat for council consideration. The motion to request an alternate budget was moved, seconded and — after some procedural discussion and a brief withdrawal earlier in the meeting — passed; staff will prepare an alternative prior to the next reading so council can consider amendments before final adoption.
Why it matters: the certified tax amount is the legally advertised figure that determines the city's share of property taxes and the issue drew sustained public comment: several residents said rising assessed values have increased their tax bills even when the certified levy changes modestly, and urged the council to exhaust reserves, non‑tax revenues and efficiency measures before raising the levy.
