Gallatin council advances budget in second reading, approves multiple measures

The Gallatin City Council on June 2 advanced the city’s annual budget for fiscal year 2026–27 in a unanimous second reading and approved a second reading of a city revenue ordinance, while also moving several smaller appropriations and grant applications forward.

Rachel Nichols, a finance department representative who briefed the council, said the city runs reports during budget preparation to "ensure that our operating revenues cover the cost of our operating expenses," and noted the city excludes one‑time capital purchases from operating budgets. Nichols told the council that, historically, Gallatin has closed most fiscal years with revenues exceeding expenditures and that the city’s credit rating was recently upgraded, which she said reflects “solid financial footing.”

The budget ordinance (02605‑47) was introduced by Vice Mayor Hayes and discussed during the meeting; Nichols walked council members through best practices, legal publication requirements and historical balances. The council then approved the ordinance on second reading by voice vote. Council members also gave unanimous second‑reading approval to ordinance 02605‑41, a revenue measure that the mayor noted will require three readings before any tax rate is final.

Separately, the council approved second reading of ordinance 02605‑44, appropriating $25,000 from Project Woolhawk for planning‑department office renovations, and passed first readings for several smaller appropriations: ordinance 02605‑48 (year‑end adjustments), ordinance 02605‑49 (appropriating $11,246 in insurance proceeds for police radar equipment) and ordinance 02605‑50 (an insurance‑proceeds appropriation for vehicle repairs; the transcript lists the amount as “16,7526,” which appears to be a transcription error and was not clarified at the meeting).

Council also unanimously approved two grant‑related resolutions: R2605‑45 authorizing the fire department to apply for the U.S. Assistance to Firefighters Grant and R2605‑46 authorizing a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program. City officials expressed hope the applications will be successful.

The mayor and council thanked Nichols and city department heads for the budget work. The mayor emphasized the council’s legal role in approving expenses and asked residents to review the full budget, which he said will be posted online. The council will take up any required third readings for the tax ordinance in a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows the council voted unanimously on recorded items; six members voted in favor and one councilmember (Councilman Javant) was absent.

What’s next: the tax ordinance will require a third reading before the rate is final; staff said they will submit the approved budget to the comptroller once Nichols completes final preparations.