City Council Minutes 07-27-2026 SpecialMINUTES
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, July 27, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Kip Christianson, Tracy Hinz, Lee Martie
Absent: None
Staff: Rachel Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Angela Schumann, Matt Leonard, Tom
Pawelk, Sara Cahill, Jim Thares, and Jennifer Schreiber
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. 2027 Budget Discussion
Sarah Rathlisberger, Finance Director, introduced discussion and noted that this is the
first of three planned budget workshops prior to adopting the preliminary levy.
Staff and City Council reviewed the preliminary 2027 budget requests, focusing on the
General Fund, capital projects and initiatives in progress, and future operating costs
associated with new facilities. There was also discussion to potentially use
approximately $1.1 million in one-time 2026 net profits from the liquor store and DMV
to call the outstanding 2015B and 2016A debt issues, which would eliminate the need to
levy for those bonds in 2027. It was noted that this will be discussed at a future budget
workshop.
Discussion also addressed project workload constraints, anticipated police protection
and legal fee increases, and future funding for MontiArts as grant funding for certain
support positions ends and the organization eventually transitions to nonprofit status.
Additional 2027 budget requests included positions or staffing needs for Engineering,
Executive Assistant/Communications, Parks, and Utilities. Other notable operating
requests were discussed, and staff highlighted the priorities and goals which informed
the 2027 budget requests.
3. Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreibe
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City Administrator
City Council Special Meeting Minutes —July 27, 2026