City to Host Town Hall About Proposed Budget, Spending Cuts

Facing a structural deficit of more than $3 million next fiscal year, city officials have proposed several potential spending cuts or revenue sources to chip away at the deficit.

To give residents a chance to voice their opinions on these proposed changes and the proposed budget as a whole, the city is hosting a Town Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. in the Hannah Community Center. 

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback before the city approves the fiscal year 2026 budget later this month. 

The potential financial adjustments, or “Deficit Reduction Plan,” proposes cutting the general fund’s entire $2.6 million contribution to the Parks and Recreation fund. City officials hope residents will agree to pick up the tab to pay for parks through a property tax millage – but a millage would need to be approved in an election. 

Another option outlined in the plan, a proposal City Manager Robert Belleman said he does not recommend, is charging residents to maintain street lights. A street light assessment would not require a vote of approval from the public and would be similar to the bills residents currently receive to repair sidewalks near their homes. 

Read more about the Deficit Reduction Plan in this reporting from ELi. Additionally, reporting on the city’s general fund outlook can be found here.