The Cottonwood City Council considered city staff’s proposed budget of $172,885,373 for fiscal year 2025-26 during their meeting on May 13, prior to approval of the city’s tentative budget in June. Financial Services Manager Kristin Lennon led the presentation. Last year’s budget expenditure limit was $140,243,961.“These are always the big numbers,” Lennon said.
She estimated total revenues of $96,236,646, with transaction privilege tax, or sales tax, and franchise taxes increasing to $27,397,440 from $27,064,875 in FY25, charges for service decreasing to $19,480,235 from $19,809,245, state shared revenues increasing to $7,152,105 from $7,099,535, intergovernmental grants increasing to $9,039,509 from $4,797,510, other revenues increasing to $12,898,900 from $4,124,319 and transfers increasing to $20,268,457 from $1,202,405. General fund expenditures for the year are currently estimated to be $72,038,475, while salaries and benefits for city employees will come to $25,822,081, including a 2.5% cost of living adjustment and the addition of 11 new positions.
“Given the critical importance of housing to our community’s quality of life and our economy I question the lack of funding for a housing planner,” Vice Mayor Felicia Coates said. “Housing is a real central issue for us on the council, it’s certainly worth taking a look at,” Mayor Ann Shaw said.
