At a special meeting held on April 1st, interim city administrator Eric Diekhoff presented the draft budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025–2026. The proposal aims to strike a balance between enhancing public services and maintaining fiscal responsibility while addressing the city's key priorities. Diekhoff emphasized the goal of keeping the overall growth rate in spending between four and six percent.

Key Highlights of the Proposal

• Sewer: Despite accounting for 10% of the city budget and the levying of a special assessment of an additional $10 per month for sewer system improvements, the sewer budget continues to run a deficit. The deficit is projected to reach $339,871 by the end of the next fiscal year. Ward 2 Alderman Wade Fornoff voiced his concerns over the city's delay in addressing the shortfall and urged immediate action.
• Water: Spending on the water system is projected to increase by 9.7%, representing 24.7% of overall city spending, second only to police department expenses.
• Educational Investments: Funding for local schools is set to rise by 9%, bringing the total to $165,661 from TIF funds.
• Police Department: The budget includes funds for the purchase of a new police vehicle, aimed at upgrading the current fleet and replacing the oldest and most outdated vehicle. TIF funds will be utilized for this purchase. Alderman Douglas Bury, representing Ward 3, questioned the planned use of the outdated police vehicle by the streets department rather than accepting the trade-in value. Diekhoff stated that the value of the vehicle to the streets department significantly exceeded the value the city would get from the trade-in.

City residents are encouraged to review the budget at City Hall during regular business hours or download a copy here. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 15th at 6:30 PM, where residents are invited to attend and provide their comments.