The City of Stanley has a new budget levy.
Approved Monday, Nov. 17 after a 7:00 p.m. budget hearing in city hall, the 2026 city budget levy set at $709,118 helps fund city expenses and includes police, fire, public works, and general government among its many different fund categories. Still to be set is the mill rate, combining the city, county, CVTC, and the school district.
Including in the 2026 budget as approved are expenditures of $3,027,216, revenue other than property taxes of $2,318,098, and a property tax levy of $709,118.
Speaking during public comment was just one resident, former mayor David Jankoski.
“My first question is, who’s the chairman of the finance committee?” he asked, then asking about the submission of the library budget.
The library will have a new building next year and Jankoski was wondered how
Answered in turn by Elizabeth Miniatt, Jankoski was told that the library would not be hiring additional staff but would be adding hours, with more funding from the counties this year helping fill the gap. Utilities are supposed to be more efficient in the new building.
Among points raised by Jankoski was the question of debt.
“What was the city’s debt at the end of 2024 and then 2025?” he asked. “I’m not here to criticize, I’m just here for informational purposes.” The share of borrowing for Maple Street was brought up as well, with a figure of $3.7 to $3.8 million given for cost but no breakdown of outside aid like grants versus city borrowing available.
“There’s money that comes from DNR and Clean Water,” President Pro Tempore Mark Fitzsimmons said. More specifics were expected in December.
Also raised by Jankoski was the question of debt service in the 2026 budget, the figure of $200,000 not clear as to source. The city undertakes debt service borrowing to pay for city projects, with City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Nicole Pilgrim saying she would have to service report to find specifics.
No other residents spoke during the budget hearing.