October 9, 2025 · 6:00 PM

Personnel and Finance Committee

The committee got its first detailed look at major pieces of the 2026 budget, including a proposed 2% city levy increase for the library and a police budget that members said they want trimmed. No formal votes were recorded in these minutes—this was mainly a budget work session.

Key Decisions

Police budget review: the department proposed a 4.56% operating increase, and committee members openly pushed to bring it closer to 4%—a small-sounding change that can still mean real dollars when it rolls into the full city budget.

Police capital plan totals $110,000, including Flock/pole cameras, speed signs/trailer, and squad camera systems—spending choices that affect both taxes and how the city approaches enforcement and surveillance.

Library budget presentation included a proposed $13,635 (2%) increase in the city levy for 2026, alongside higher projected county revenue; this is an early signal of where the library’s funding request is headed before the broader budget decisions are locked in.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

Presentation of Lester Public Library 2026 Budget and Proposed Tax Levy in Support of 2026 Budget

Library staff presented the 2026 library budget and programming overview. The proposal includes a $13,635 (2%) increase in the city levy compared to 2025, with county revenue projected up $19,414 (8.59%) and overall expenses up 3.44%. This is an early budget marker for residents: the committee heard the request, but the minutes do not show any vote or recommendation here.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

library budget Full history →

Review of Proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets for Police Department, Municipal Court, Police and Fire Commission

Police leadership presented a 2026 operating budget with a 4.56% increase, and committee members said they want it closer to 4%—a sign the numbers are still negotiable. The proposed police capital list totals $110,000, including $10,000 for four Flock cameras plus two pole cameras, $20,000 for speed signs/trailer, and $30,000 for squad camera systems, along with $50,000 for office furniture/flooring (reduced after the department obtained some items at no cost). The minutes don’t show a vote, but this is the kind of spending package that can shape both the tax levy and day-to-day policing tools.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

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