Title
Conduct a public hearing to receive input from citizens regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
Body
This is a State-law-mandated public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget that must be held before the date that the tax rate is adopted, since a city must levy taxes only in accordance with its budget. The City Council held two previous public hearings on July 6, 2026, and July 20, 2026.
In accordance with State law, the City Council must take action on the budget at the conclusion of this public hearing, either to vote separately to adopt the budget, or vote to postpone adoption of the budget until the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting.
Next year’s proposed budget estimates a decrease of $1,862,476 (-1.96%) in property tax revenue and therefore does not require a separate vote to ratify the increase in property tax revenue. The vote to adopt the tax rate (tax levy) is scheduled for the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting.
Recommended/Desired Action
The City Council is not obligated to adopt the budget at this meeting. If the Council chooses to postpone the item, then there will be two separate votes required at the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting: (1) adopt the proposed budget, and (2) adopt the tax rate.
Drafter
Ted Chinn
Head of Department
Ted Chinn