Questions surrounding proposed water and sewer rate increases remain as Excelsior Springs prepares to begin its new fiscal year.

City Council members recently approved the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget, but the proposed utility rates included in the budget will require separate council action.

The budget covers Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2027. General Fund revenues are budgeted at $11,013,324, with expenditures of $10,906,195, leaving revenues over expenditures by $107,129.

The General Fund budget includes $6,080,080 in tax revenue. Police expenditures are budgeted at $3,758,378, while fire expenditures total $3,215,423. Salaries account for approximately $6.12 million in General Fund expenditures, with $4.29 million of that amount going toward public safety salaries.

The budget does not include a cost-ofliving adjustment or merit raises for staff. City Manager Melinda Mehaffy said if funding becomes available, a personnel adjustment would be the first budget amendment she would anticipate …