10-27-25 - City Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 of 5 The City Administrator stated that based on prior discussion on the matter, the Fire Chief is currently working to prepare a report on the legislative rules, costs, staffing and other considerations related to offering ambulance services as part of the Fire Department operations and will be bringing that forward at a future meeting. Councilmember Ruhland stated that the financial impact of operating an ambulance service was of interest as it is possible that the costs will be off set. Councilmember Lynden stated that even with the reduction the impact is significant, and taxpayers will be facing a combined impact of the city and other taxing districts increases in the tax levy. Mayor Rafferty stated that he supports reducing the amount of the final budget and levy as presented by staff, with recognition that the final budget and levy will be set in December and can be further amended if needed. With the total amount being able to be reduced but not increased from the preliminary levy amount. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to remove the $50,642 from the 2026 Final Budget & Levy report to be presented on December 8, 2025. 4. 2026 Utility Rates The Finance Director presented the proposed 2026 Utility Rates. She stated that the rates are tied to the 2026 Enterprise budget and are based on the 2021 Utility Rate Study. She stated that the full fee schedule for city operations will be presented for first reading on October 27th and adoption on November 10, 2025. She stated that the planned public works facility has funding identified through future utility rates. She stated that a revised utility fee study is planned for 2026 as the current study runs from 2021 to 2026. The City Council discussed the need for a utility fee study in 2026. Staff outlined that the 2026 study would provide updated numbers related to the number of users, consumption rates and revised costs for operations and capital costs such as the public works building. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he would support a revised study if a preliminary report of the actual number of new homes compared to the estimated number presented in the 2021-2026 study could be prepared. Councilmember Stoesz stated that the public should be advised of the 2025 legislative impact on water testing fees, with a 36% increase in the fees having been adopted by the state and passed through to the consumers. Page 21 of 166