Willard Council adopts FY2026-27 budgets, certifies property tax rate and approves public-safety retirement pickup

The Willard City Council voted June 25 to adopt the cityoperating and capital budgets for fiscal year 202627, certified the property-tax rate and approved employer pickup of tier-2 public-safety retirement contributions.

During discussion before the final vote Chair raised concerns about sustained police-budget increases over recent years, citing historical percentage changes of roughly 19%, 16%, 13.9% and 25% and a projected 9% increase for the coming year. "I think it's important to have the police protection, but somehow we have to rein that in," the Chair said. Finance staff emphasized that salaries are the primary cost driver across departments.

Finance staff presented proposed FY25-26 amendments and the council reviewed estimated actual revenues and expenditures. Staff said some revenue categories (property tax, sales and use tax, hydrant-meter rentals, sewer impact fees) outperformed initial estimates, while some capital purchases were pushed into the next fiscal year. The council directed staff to provide further line-item clarifications where questions remained.

Votes at a glance
- Final operating and capital budget for FY 2026-27 (Resolution: final budget): Motion made and seconded; roll-call recorded votes in the transcript as: Jordan: Yes; Rex: Yes; Mike: Yes; Jake: Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Property-tax rate certification for FY 2026-27 (resolution): Motion made and seconded; roll-call recorded the same yes votes. Outcome: approved.
- Employer pickup of tier-2 public-safety retirement contributions (resolution): Motion made and seconded; roll-call recorded the same yes votes. Outcome: approved.

The meeting transcript shows the votes were recorded by roll call and that councilmembers who spoke during debate favored adopting the budgets while seeking additional information on particular line items. The council also received a state-required fraud-risk assessment briefing (no action required) and asked staff to retain training certificates and consider creation of an audit committee or introductory training to improve the city's risk profile.

Next steps included providing more detailed budget line-item clarifications and, where needed, amending the budgets later in the year based on actual revenues and expenditures. The council will also complete required training documentation for the fraud-risk assessment.