By R. R. Branstrom

rbranstrom@dailypress.net

GLADSTONE — Two public hearings in relation to financing in the City of Gladstone have been set for March 24 during the regular meeting of the city commission, which begins at 6 p.m.

Last week, department heads, the city manager, mayor and city commissioners met for budget work sessions to compile the proposed budget for Gladstone’s fiscal year 2025 to 2026. After reviewing and preparing for months, superintendents and other city staff presented the funds for their departments on March 4, and additional presentations took place on March 5.

At those meetings, adjustments were made to the local street budget and the wastewater fund, but they were largely unchanged.

Out of the major street fund budget, a capital project is the start of the South Hill project. Regular expenses include surface maintenance, winter maintenance, administration, sweeping and flushing, storm sewers. $200,000 is being transferred from major streets to the local street fund.

The capital projects for local streets this year will be chip and crack sealing; other expenses include surface maintenance, traffic control and more — the same items that are named for the major streets, but 70% of the cost.

Public Safety’s capital projects will be gym equipment, upfitting police and fire equipment, and replacing the leaking roof on the public safety building. Their expenses for three areas: police department, K-9 program, and fire department.

The Recreation Department’s major projects will be the pram shack, memorial benches, and chip sealing at the beach and pavilion. Administration, the sports park, campground and other areas the department manages make up the department’s expenses.

For Public Works (DPW), capital projects include DPW building engineering, cemetery water system, and trees. An income of $200,000 is expected by the sale of the gravel pit.

The Electric Department’s projects include new meters, line trimming, poles, office flooring and a pickup truck.

All departments have balanced budgets wherein expenses do not exceed income. Money gained comes through sales, rentals, fees, taxes, state funds, etc.

City commissioners encourage the public to review the complete proposed budget — which can be obtained from City Hall or found online within the City Commission agenda packet for March 10 — before attending the March 24 hearing.

Another hearing will be held on the same date for the Public Act 33 Police and Fire Special Assessment that first kicked off last year. Municipalities are required to determine assessment amounts annually.

The proposed rate — 4.5 mills, the same as last year — was presented by Public Safety Director Ron Robinson at the recent budget work sessions. The department expects to raise $538,405 over the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, some of which will be set aside to be put towards new turnout gear that will need to be purchased in 2027 and ’28.

In other business on Monday, the Gladstone City Commission:

– set up a joint meeting with the Housing Commission for April 7 to discuss plans for Fairview manor.

– approved request for disbursement of funds draw #32 for the wastewater treatment plant project. The bills were $116,730 for Staab Construction and $298,980.50 for C2AE.