09/05/2026
My thoughts on the city budget.
At the highest level, I expect to deal with a budget that has $20.5 million in revenue, and approximately $20.7 million in expenditure. This will result in a small budget deficit of about $200,000 – which is well within our financial situation to manage.
Our current hiring freeze on non-essential positions will be maintained. I do not wish to eliminate any current programs.
First, I want to address some of the confusion about the process. A number of people have made comments online about the budget, and the large change in “proposed” expenditures. The City Manager is obligated to present a budget to council. There is no obligation to present a balanced budget.
So why is the budget not balanced? Simply put, during the last budget, several council members objected to the staff altering the budget worksheet, based on council discussions, but without a formal vote. During the process, council instructed the staff not to make any changes to the budget that would require a council decision point, without a council vote. The budget, as presented, does not eliminate any expenditures that council is expected to act upon. Thus, the draft budget has a larger deficit, reflecting the need for council to approve key decision points.
I am sure the council will have a fulsome discussion on the budget, between the 7 of us there are at least 11 good ideas as to how to solve the problem.
I wanted to share my budget input. I have also included a page explaining each of the cuts or restorations I would propose we consider. Finally, I have included a list of the employees we have added to the staff during my tenure.
I’d be happy to discuss this with you. Have a happy Labor Day weekend.
Mayor Tom
