By Drew C. Robinson
Tribune Staff Writer
City Council adopted its 2026-2027 fiscal year budget Tuesday night at its meeting after city staff presented a plan to hire more firefighting personnel without an accompanying property tax price hike to cover the additional operating costs.
The revised budget now presented requires additional use of fund balance of $211,623 as compared to the originally proposed version – for a total use of fund balance of $1,049,349. This use of fund balance can be attributed to the $1,200,000 fire apparatus, though it is noted that continued phasing of additional firefighters in later years will likely require reconsideration of tax rates.
“We had a reappraisal (in 2025) which caused a lot of people’s taxes and insurance and everything else to go up,” Council Member Tommy Pedigo said. “I felt like we needed to not have a tax increase this year because we saw that happen last year, pretty strongly.”
The budget was put up for a vote and passed unanimously on its first reading. It will need to pass a second public vote/reading to be adopted. A resolution confirming/approving a municipal election for the city to take place on November 3. Council members for Wards 1 and 3, as well as an at-large seat, will be on the ballot.
Council accepted recommendations were made to renew software licences and postage machine service as they handled routine government issues.
Ed Hale, Susanne Deneau and Jim Price were reappointed to the Industrial Development Board. Justin Cook and Kenny Noah were appointed for new terms.
In his report, City Administrator Andrew Ellard said work continues on the planned improvements in the city parks system.
“We’re going to try to encourage people to attend the next open house opportunity with the (park planning) consultants on August 8 at Talley Ward Recreation Center,” he said. “They are moving forward with that (planning and input process).”
He said the Parks and Recreation Department will be busy this weekend with a 65-team softball tournament at Frank Lorino Park.
“They’ve got at least one group coming from as far away as Michigan,” Ellard said, as he addressed the room. “So if you see a lot of people from out of town, be welcoming and inviting. We’re glad to have them here and hopefully spending a lot of money.”