Emporia City Commissioners are inching closer to having a finalized budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
In fact, commissioners are scheduled to take action on the proposed budget to that end at their next regular action meeting on Wednesday, September 16th. If the commission approves the budget as it stands, it will bring a total of just over $86 million, a $2 million increase from FY 2026.
While the dollars may be increasing, Emporia City Finance Officer Janet Harouff says it will not be reflected in the mill levy, which will remain flat at 46.007. When asked the key reason for the increase in dollars from year to year, Harouff explained the cause is the same as it has been for many other budgets: increasing day-to-day expenses coupled with cost-of-living increases.
In addition to the vote to finalize the budget, commissioners will also take action to exceed the revenue neutral rate on the 16th, according to Harouff. At this time, Harouff says all funds included in the overall budget will have positive balances heading into 2027; however, there are a few that will require continued review heading into the new year.
Specifically, Harouff says, like many years, the commission’s focus will be on utility funds for water, wastewater and solid waste. At this time, Harouff says plans are to keep all of the utility rates flat heading into 2027, saying they will be sufficient.
Beyond that, however:
Harouff says the commission will be looking into future rate increases, possibly by next year, noting there are several major needs looming that have contributed to the latest rate increase discussions.
The city has commissioned a series of rate studies which are ongoing, with plans to have those results in hand between October and November. As for when we may see an increase and to what degree, Harouff says it is too soon to say without the data in hand, but notes it is best not to wait too far down the road.
The city did implement a series of rate increases, ten percent to be exact, both in 2025 and this year, with the commission noting a decrease in fund reserve levels, increases in contract fees and other concerns as the main factors for the decision.
