Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street March 16, 2026 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 6:15 p.m. on March 16, 2026, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Danny Laudick, Chris Latta, Tom Nagle, Craig Fairbanks, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. Absent: Gil Schultz and Aaron Hawbaker. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Mayor Laudick called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Agenda, FY27 Budget Discussion. Mayor provided a brief timeline of the budget process, the property tax effect and max levy amount previously approved by Council. Recommendations were made for use of the Economic Development fund for zoning ordinance updates and pre-approved home designs; and use of funds set aside from the UNI-Dome project to cover Public Buildings and Library capital projects. Mayor recommended the max levy be lowered from $12.29 to $12.20 for FY27 to be put forward at the special Council meeting on April 6, 2026. Mayor then opened for Council discussion and questions. Councilmembers, Mayor, and staff discussed: use of and allocation of Economic Development funds; State legislation regarding a “cap” for max levy amounts and impact on the City; and impact of the State funding rollback being lowered. Mayor requested a motion. Councilmember Dunn motioned to approve the max levy at $12.29; Councilmember Crisman seconded. Mayor asked for any further Council discussion: clarification that the max levy rate can still be lowered until the April 20, 2026 Council meeting for approval; the legislative session and potential cap on the max levy rate, and timeline; and how lowering the max levy rate could affect City services provided. Mayor asked for any public comment; there being none, Mayor asked for any further Council discussion; there being none, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Nagle, Crisman, and Dunn. Nay: Latta and Fairbanks. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Assistant