City Council Budget Work Session, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Part 1

The City of Lowell held a City Council Budget Work Session on April 28, 2026, focusing primarily on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Key procurement-related discussions included the Light and Power department's budget overview, highlighting revenue growth, power supply costs, and an aggressive capital budget with projects such as electric grid updates and infrastructure improvements. The department also mentioned strategic initiatives to expand local power generation assets and potential future investments in energy storage and generation facilities. Additionally, the budget addressed pension contributions, low-income energy assistance programs, and ongoing maintenance projects for water and wastewater systems. The city manager presented a balanced budget proposal maintaining current service levels, with no new full-time staffing additions due to revenue constraints, though the need for additional police officers was noted. Election-related expenses were also reviewed, including potential state-mandated election equipment updates. Several line items for professional services, including contract negotiations and wage studies, were budgeted. The session included discussions on miscellaneous expenses, administrative service charges, and revenue sources such as property taxes, marijuana excise taxes, and franchise fees. Overall, the meeting emphasized fiscal prudence while addressing infrastructure, service delivery, and strategic energy initiatives.