The 2026-27 budget was approved unanimously by Clinton’s City Council last week, with no increase in property taxes and no cuts to city services.
Residents will, however, see slight increases in services fees for garbage collection, solid waste and water fees.
There will be no raise in pool admission fees or youth athletic fees, based on the final adopted plan. Raising those fees had been proposed, but Mayor Lew Starling and council members were opposed to any hikes, saying they did not want to add more financial strain to families.
Water base rates will increase from $16.57 to $17.07, with consumption rates increasing from $2.54 to $2.62. There will also be a five percent increase in sewer base and consumption rates, from $17.28 to $18.14, and from $2.46 to $2.58, respectively.
“Is this also going to give us a work truck to help with trash?” Mayor Starling inquired with regard to the total budget plan as the city finance director was giving a final overview of the budget.
“That’s correct,” Rhonda Summer confirmed. “A garbage truck is included, a vehicle for police, some replacement rifles for police, and several other items as well.”
Starling also clarified that the budget will also provide money to begin Phase IV of the Downtown Redevelopment Project on Lisbon Street, seeking to restore old buildings and sites in downtown Clinton damaged over the years.
The budget will also provide a two percent cost-of-living adjustment for city employees. That adjustment will be effective within the first full payment in July, and will only apply to city employees whose salaries weren’t adjusted the previous fiscal year.
Costs of health insurance and dental insurance for city employees will rise by 4.75 percent and five percent, respectively.
The city’s operating budget for its primary funds — including the city’s general fund, water and sewer fund, and other expenses — will total $22.6 million. The general fund pays for most resources and will total at $14.1 million, a six percent increase from the previous year’s budget.
The 2026-2027 budget will go into effect on July 1.