City Council Approved 2026 General Fund Budget on December 8, 2025
The General Fund is the major operating fund of the City and accounts for the activities of the City’s administration, public safety, public works, and parks and recreation.
The 2026 budget process started in July 2025 because a preliminary 2026 property tax levy is due to the County by September 30. (That proposed property tax levy information is what property owners receive the first week in November). Between September 30 and December 31, the City Council may reduce its September tax levy estimate but cannot increase the total property tax levy. As in prior years the City property tax levy in September was reduced as the City staff and Council continued to work through the 2026 General Fund budget.
The final general property tax capacity rate approved December 8 was reduced by approximately -2% compared to the 2025 levy. The Council approved a balanced budget of revenue and expenditures totaling $4,835,520. The local property tax levy of $3,264,745 supports approximately two-thirds of the General Fund budget and local government aid from the state and other revenue sources finance the balance of the budget.
The General Fund does not include the Water, Wastewater or Stormwater Funds which are supported by user charges. The utility rates are periodically reviewed by the Council to determine they are sufficient to finance the operations, maintenance and debt service.