Hastings City Council Meeting Summary – September 21, 2026

The Hastings City Council held a special meeting on September 21, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:21 PM to adopt the Annual Appropriation Bill (Ordinance No. 4844) and the Property Tax Request (Resolution No. 2026-57) for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The agenda was reordered to consider the tax resolution first. Mayor George J.J. Beckby presided.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Willis Hunt (616 Madden Road) suggested trimming the police budget, citing that it was not fully spent in the current year.
• Curtis Johnson (926 South St. Joseph) opposed the proposed tax and fee increases (restaurant tax, property tax, utility hikes) and questioned spending on city hall construction and consulting fees.
• Jody Stutzman (709 North Briggs Avenue) called for greater transparency from the council on how to achieve budget reductions rather than simply rejecting staff proposals. She questioned the council spending time on specific zoning decisions rather than broader fiscal priorities.
• Edward Krontz (1203 East Dancer) expressed opposition to property tax increases, noting public sentiment from the pink card meeting, and asked for transparency on the use of city hall savings and underspent funds.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Statement on Budget: Mayor Beckby detailed the structural deficit, noting that staff proposed approximately $600,000 in budget reductions and $700,000 in project deferrals (cemetery roads, columbarium), which the council did not adopt. He stated that the council approved a police payroll increase and an additional $35,000 for the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA). He warned against using cash reserves to cover operating expenses, which risk dropping to dangerously low levels by 2029–2030. He announced that starting with the next budget, he will direct city administration to establish clear spending targets and hard departmental caps at the beginning of the process.
• Resolution No. 2026-57 (Property Tax Request): City Attorney Jesse Oswald confirmed the resolution was for the same amount (0.406359 levy, $9,886,943) provided at the prior meeting, necessitating a new vote following the joint public meeting. Councilmember Brad Consbruck moved to amend the levy to 0.387076 ($9,417,782). During discussion, City Administrator Mark Funkey detailed prior cuts (1 full-time and 6 part-time positions, $140,000 in police 911 funding shifts) and warned that deeper cuts would materially affect services such as parks, libraries, and public safety. Council members debated the merits of a hiring freeze.
• Ordinance No. 4844 (Annual Appropriation Bill): The council considered the second and final reading of the budget bill. Questions were raised about the restaurant tax and dividend fee resolutions, which staff indicated were not being brought forward at this time.

Key Outcomes

• Amendment to Resolution No. 2026-57 (reduce levy to 0.387076): Failed. Roll call: Ayes — Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan. Nays — Michael Anderson, Maggie Esch, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Abstention — Steve Huntley.
• Resolution No. 2026-57 (Property Tax Request at 0.406359, $9,886,943): Passed. Roll call: Ayes — Brad Consbruck, Maggie Esch, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong, Mayor George J.J. Beckby. Nays — Michael Anderson, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan. Abstention — Steve Huntley.
• Ordinance No. 4844 (Appropriation Bill for FY 2026–2027): Passed. Roll call: Ayes — Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Maggie Esch, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays — Steve Huntley, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan. No abstentions.
• Future Budget Process: Mayor Beckby committed to directing the city administration to begin the next budget cycle with clear spending targets and hard departmental caps to provide the council and public with earlier, more specific choices on potential spending reductions.