Regular City Council Meeting - Nov. 4, 2026

The Ephrata City Council’s regular meeting, identified in the title as Nov. 4, 2026, included public hearings on the 2027 budget and ad valorem taxes. The preliminary budget showed about $30 million in revenue against $34 million in expenditures, with roughly $6.9 million in capital projects contributing to an estimated $4.5 million gap. Council discussed prioritizing or deferring capital work and using an estimated $2–2.5 million in one-time sales-tax revenue, while preserving funds for grant matches. Projects discussed included parks and pool improvements, street work, equipment, and a road connection estimated at about $410,000, partly supported by private contributions. The proposed 1% ad valorem tax increase would raise $16,403.93; Council moved Ordinance 26-05 to a second reading, but did not adopt the budget at this meeting.

Council approved Resolution R26-076 accepting the completed 2026 seal coat project, reported within budget, and Resolution R26-078 accepting a sewer repair project that exceeded its budget after buried manholes had to be raised and an alley regraded. It also approved Resolution R26-079 authorizing a Department of Commerce capacity grant for preliminary design work on the 250 Basin Street building; the grant was described as a $100,000 award with no match, with eligibility of up to $150,000. A Teamsters Local 760 agreement was added to the agenda for the resolution section, but the available transcript does not capture its disposition. The council also heard that McKinstry would return with phased proposals for city-building work; no award or purchase decision was made on that item.