McKenzie City Council Approves First Reading of 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget

McKENZIE (May 14) — The McKenzie City Council met Thursday, approving three items: Ordinance #578 (Amending the Zoning Map along Highland Dr.); approving Resolution 26-005 opening three seats for the November General Election; and approving the 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget on its first reading.

​During the first reading of the budget, it was noted that there is no tax increase for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year, and employees will receive a 3% pay raise. In the General Fund, the City of McKenzie anticipates collecting $5,911,972. In estimated expenditures, the amount is $6,107,481. In order to create a balanced budget, $195,509 will be moved from the City’s Fund Balance.

The majority of funds collected come from two items: Local Taxes estimated at $2,818,087 and Intergovernmental Taxes estimated at $2,074,380.

Expenditures are as follows: General Government - $1,091,895; Police Department - $2,217,243; Fire Department - $836,027; Streets and Highways - $1,154,013; Parks Department $436,473; Tourism and Economic Development - $73,080; Street Lighting - $52,250; Debt Services - $246,500.

​Other budgets include the Theatre Fund with an anticipated revenue of $49,700 and an estimated expenditure of $49,400. The Solid Waste Fund has an anticipated revenue of $582,200 and an estimated expenditure of $522,383. The Drug Fund has an anticipated revenue of $26,000 and an estimated expenditure of $21,850. The Water and Sewer Fund has an anticipated revenue of $2,103,500 and an estimated expenditure of $2,691,690 with an additional $36,00 from Nonoperating Revenue along with $527,000 through grants.

​Resolution 26-005 was approved, calling a November Municipal Election. The mayor’s seat and three council seats will be placed on the November ballot. The incumbents for the seats are Mayor Ryan Griffin, Bobby Young, Carol Armpriest and Tom Alexander.

​Ordinance #578 is the rezoning of the property owned by the Perkins Corporation along Highland Drive that comprises Dollar General, Factory Connection, and Subway. At the request of Ed Perkins, who has a possible buyer for the property, the property will be zoned as B-2 (Highway Business) instead of being split into B-2 and R-3 (High Density Residential).

​Prior to the meeting, the Council met as the McKenzie Alcohol Board and granted a Type B “On Premise” beer permit to Elizabeth Richardson dba The McKenzie Taproom, located at 27 Broadway St.

​The next meeting, which will include the final reading of the 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget, is June 11 at 6 p.m. at McKenzie City Hall.