10.c 2026 Budget Calendar Staff Report
Date of Meeting: May 20, 2025
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: 2026 Budget Calendar
Attached is the meeting schedule for the 2026 budget process. The process starts with Capital
Improvement Committee meetings in the spring and summer as in past years. The calendar outlines
the meetings when the budget will be presented for review and notes specific deadlines for submittal
to the county. Any date in blue is scheduled as an extra meeting date, if needed.
The council will see the first draft of the budget during their August work session. Preliminary
budget information is due to the county by September 30. Our Truth-In-Taxation hearing is
scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, and our final budget and levy amounts are due to the county
by Monday, December 29.
This year, I would like to ask the Council for direction when preparing the budget. I would
appreciate it if the Council provided guidelines for the budget preparation, whether it is a limit on
the dollar amount increase in the levy, a maximum percentage increase to the levy, or a specific tax
rate to remain under. This will help staff prepare a budget more aligned with the Council’s vision
rather than one that may require significant modifications.
Attachments:
2026 Budget Calendar
2026 Budget/ Capital Improvement Plan Calendar
May 2025
Dates (2025) Action
Tuesday, May 20 Council reviews & approves draft budget calendar (regular meeting)
Wednesday, May 28
June, TBD
July, TBD
Capital Improvement Committee meetings
July Staff prepares the draft budget.
Wednesday, August 6 City Council budget workshop (regular work session meeting)
Wednesday, August 20 City Council budget workshop (special meeting)
Wednesday, August 27 City Council budget workshop (special meeting)
Friday, September 1 Notification of levy limit received
Wednesday, September 3 City Council budget workshop (regular work session meeting)
Tuesday, September 16 Regular Council meeting to adopt proposed budget by resolution and certify
proposed levy to county auditor; set date for public meeting on levy and
budget
Tuesday, September 30 Last date to certify proposed (maximum) tax levy to the county auditor
October 1 (approximate) Include information on the proposed budget in the City newsletter
Wednesday, October 1 City Council budget workshop (regular work session)
Tuesday, October 14 City Council budget workshop (special meeting)
November Washington County mails property tax statements.
Wednesday, November 5 City Council budget workshop (regular work session meeting)
Wednesday, December 3
Tuesday, December 9
Truth-In-Taxation budget hearing
City Council budget workshop (special meeting)
Tuesday, December 16
Adopt final property tax levy and budget
(last regular Council meeting of 2025)
Monday, December 29 Last date to certify the final tax levy to the county auditor
January, 2026 Publish the summary budget in the newspaper