Belgrade City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Belgrade City Council met on September 1, 2026, to consider several resolutions including changes to the forestry and street maintenance assessment methods, adoption of the fiscal year 2027 final budget, and establishment of the permissive medical levy and mill levy. All resolutions were approved unanimously. Public comments were heard on the street maintenance fee and budget.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Anderson (600 Black Diamond Street) opposed Resolution 2026-18 (street maintenance assessment change), questioning the need for an increase after a reported surplus in the street maintenance fund. She noted an additional $31.74 on her tax bill. Assistant City Manager Greg Trine and Charity clarified that transfers between funds create the appearance of a surplus but that the fund actually receives general fund support and typically zeros out. Anderson asked the council not to approve the resolution.
• Roy Krause (Burt Court) asked about the current single-family street fee ($205) and noted a 15% increase to approximately $236. Councilmember Menicucci confirmed the fee would have been significantly higher (near $300) if left as a flat rate.
• A council member (unidentified) encouraged the public to check how their parcels are classified, noting that a downtown business with three parcels would pay about $4,000, which could be more than larger commercial entities.

Discussion Items

Resolution 2026-17: Change of Method of Assessment for Forestry Assessment

• Assistant City Manager Greg Trine presented the change from a flat fee per property to a fee by acreage range. No public comments. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Resolution 2026-18: Change of Method of Assessment for Street Maintenance Assessment

• Greg Trine and Deputy Mayor Cardwell explained that the current flat fee of $205 per parcel does not account for trip generation. The proposed change uses standardized engineering data (ITE) to set fees based on land use, moving toward actual maintenance costs. The new fees are lower than those in larger communities. The fee increase for single-family parcels is about 15% ($236.74), partly due to inflation (estimated 7% over two years). The goal is to reduce general fund subsidy. Councilmember Menicucci noted that without this change, the flat fee would have been nearly $300. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Resolution 2026-19: Approval of Fiscal Year 2027 Final Budget

• Charity (finance) presented the final budget. Key changes from the preliminary budget included: software/hardware additions, forestry transfer adjustment, water utility audit ($15,000), police overtime reduction ($45,000) and reallocation to SWAT equipment, public works director search, and court clerk reclassifications. Total salary and benefits: $14 million (113.33 FTEs). Pay increases: 4% for unrepresented staff; represented staff increases per union contracts (Teamsters 3%, BPOA 4-11% annually). Total salary/benefits cost increase: $1.183 million.
• Property values increased 26% overall; newly taxable value decreased 11%, raising concerns about Department of Revenue capturing all new value. General levy: 78.64 mills; planning levy: 2.45 mills; total mills: 212.23 (down from previous year). General fund revenue expected to increase 13%; expenses up 3% (excluding technology transfer). Unrestricted fund balance estimated at 12% of expenses (above 10% goal). Transfers out include $700,000 to CIP for Justice Center, $559,000 to library, $111,000 to planning, $50,000 to seniors, $54,000 to streets. Forestry fund targets $200,000. Library fund reduced FTEs by 0.4. Planning fees recovering. Senior center food costs rising. Urban renewal district fund includes a $10 million bond issue for downtown redevelopment. Street maintenance fund: new fee expected to bring $1.6 million (up from $1 million). General fund contributes $54,000 plus $188,000 from fuel tax. Building inspections budget down 24% due to eliminated inspector position. Water rates increased 4% (July); wastewater rates increased 10% (annual through 2028). Capital Improvement Fund includes additional support for Justice Center relocation and design of a new public works facility. A $25 million bond placeholder for wastewater debt is included. The budget was adopted unanimously after no public comment.

Resolution 2026-20: Permissive Medical Levy for FY2027

• Charity explained the levy offsets health insurance costs based on a 2011 base year. This year the levy decreased slightly due to fewer filled positions on July 1. No public comment. Unanimously approved.

Resolution 2026-21: Establish Mill Levy and Budget Additional Property Tax Revenue for FY2027

• Total mills set at 212.23, a decrease from the prior year (244.something). Overall property tax revenue increase of about $49,000. Deputy Mayor Cardwell noted that if a property's value remains the same, city property taxes for the general fund would decrease. No public comment. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2026-17 (Forestry assessment change) – Adopted unanimously. Changes from flat fee to fee by acreage range.
• Resolution 2026-18 (Street maintenance assessment change) – Adopted unanimously. Changes from flat $205 fee to fee based on land use/trip generation.
• Resolution 2026-19 (FY2027 final budget) – Adopted unanimously. Budget totals $14 million in salaries/benefits, 113.33 FTEs, total mills 212.23, general fund expenses up 3%.
• Resolution 2026-20 (Permissive medical levy) – Adopted unanimously. Levy decreased slightly.
• Resolution 2026-21 (Mill levy and additional property tax revenue) – Adopted unanimously. Mills set at 212.23, resulting in a tax reduction for properties with unchanged valuations.
• City Manager Neil Cardwell reported that construction on the Belgrade Justice Center began Monday (August 31), with additional funding approved to address asbestos and roof issues. The project is on track for completion by end of year. Alley beautification is nearly complete for the summer, with plans to continue next year.
• Councilmember Bell reported on the senior center's 20th anniversary park celebration and noted construction starting at Mayfair Meadow Park for a bike pump track.