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minutes meeting date 2026-07-16 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 3831 characters · official file · plain text
July 16, 2026 This special meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Barber at 12:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the Jerome Council Chambers and was open to the public. Present: Mayor Chris Barber, Councilman Jason Peterson, Councilman Bryan Craig, and Councilman Dale Ross. Councilwoman Jeri Ahrens was excused. Also present were staff members: City Clerk Bernadette Coderniz, City Administrator Mike Williams, City Engineer Tyson Carpenter, Streets and Parks Supervisor Chris Westburg, Water Supervisor Dan McCullough, Public Works Director Jon Caton, Building Official Kortnie Kent, Wastewater Superintendent Brad Henry, IS Director Carlos Hernandez, Finance Director Ross Hyatt, Accounting and Budget Manager Lori McCrae, Human Resources Director Esmeralda Chavez, Planning and Zoning Manager Ida Clark, and Fire Chief Mike Harrison, Police Chief Duane Rubink. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Barber led the audience in recitation of the pledge of allegiance. BUDGET WORKSHOP: The purpose of the meeting was to hold a workshop to discuss the FY2027 budget priorities, issues and concerns. Mr. Williams stated the budget book would be provided next week before the tentative budget is presented and that he planned to meet with Councilwoman Ahrens to review the information presented. He stated the goal for the workshop was to provide high level information specific to what staff has recommended for property tax increases as well as proprietary funds and recommended rate increases. Additionally, feedback from the Council would ensure that staff has moved in the right direction in terms of the budget, initiatives and capital items included in the preliminary budget. Mr. Williams stated the tentative budget would be introduced on August 4th and the final budget would be presented in a public hearing on August 18th. The discussion was extensive and included: assumptions based on the current economic challenges and inflation rates; the municipal cost index at 5.5%; projected tax levies; the FY2027 budget to include new construction of 3% and forgone amounts of 1%; the city’s taxable value at $1.4 billion; projects that have been and are still needed within the city; savings for various projects including a new public works shop and animal shelter; overview of the capital budget and governmental funds; requested purchases including police vehicles, a fire department command truck, a streets skid steer, dump truck and plow; partnership with Jerome County for a new animal shelter; planning studies in the admin budget for a new strategic plan; surplus funds in the Urban Renewal Agency budget designated for future streets projects; the street survey in public works and final assessment results (not available until September); rate increase recommendations in the irrigation, water and sewer funds; recommended salary increase of 4% recognizing the increase in insurance premiums as high as 25%; the Consumer Price Index at approximately 4.2% as of May and how it is used for projections; the potential for utilizing a new model for industrial wastewater rates; and, the need for a new fire station. Mr. Williams stated the budget book would be released prior to the presentation of the tentative budget, and deliberations for the tentative budget are scheduled for August 4th. Upon inquiry by Mayor Barber, Ms. Chavez stated the final figures for insurance premiums would be presented at the August 4th City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Barber adjourned this July 16, 2026. special meeting of the Jerome City Council at 1:07p.m. By: Mayor Christopher J. Barber Attest: Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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