EVANSTON — The Evanston City Council work session on Tuesday, June 10, consisted of a quick overview and discussion of the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget. As the council has had weeks to review and discuss the budget, there were very few questions or concerns.

“The department heads have done a good job of getting their figures to me and have also shown how they can reduce spending,” Evanston City Treasurer Trudy Lym said as she handed everyone a copy of the final proposed budget.

The projected total revenue for the next fiscal year is $13,607,615, with total operating expenses projected at $14,802,913, and total capital expenses projected at $6,403,983, for a combined total expenses of $22,548,698, showing a net operating loss of $8,940,992.89.

Mayor Kent Williams said, “The city has managed to keep a sizeable amount in reserves this current budget year, which is encouraging to the taxpayers.”

The council included in the budget $100,000 for the Uinta County Senior Citizens with possible requirements for the funding, which will be determined later.

The council also included $5,000 for Uinta County mosquito control with requirements, depending on what the county commission decides to do about mosquito control.

There will be an increase in some of the department fee schedules. Under public works, the fee for street cut permits per square foot will now be $15; under the engineering department, the minimum charge for building permits will be $30; and the residential demolition fee is now $30.

Fees for the planning and zoning department will all be increased and will be as follows: conditional use permit, $115; conditional use permit transfer fee, $30; variance fee $225; height exception, $115; master plan amendment, $250; zone change, $250; text amendment, $225; home occupation/home childcare, $60; home occupation/childcare appeal review, $60; design review, $125; wireless communication tower, $1,200.

Under planned unit development, fees have increased to: with a minor subdivision, $300; with a major subdivision, $600; without subdivision, $300. Under subdivisions alone: a minor subdivision, $300; major subdivision with 20 lots or less $600 each; additional lot $30; maximum subdivision fee, $1,200; lot line adjustment, $115; lot split, $225; and vacating a lot, $115.

Under golf fees: tournament green fees for club members and the public (minimum 18-hole entry) increased to $60; annual cart pass is now $475; private cart annual storage fee (required if club member cart is stored), $355; and private cart annual trail fee, $250.

Under sanitation/environmental services, there has been an increase to the monthly landfill fee due to the county increase. For a 105-gallon container it now costs $9, and for each additional pickup, $9. For a 300-gallon container it now costs $18.15 and each additional pickup is $18.15.

The fees for the stormwater fund are now: onsite detention stormwater per acre, $575; and offsite detention stormwater per acre, $2,875.

A public hearing to receive input from citizens was scheduled to be held at the next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, followed by a vote to consider approval, though that occurred after press time.

At the regular meeting of the city council held on Tuesday, June 3, two street closure permits, two limited malt beverage permits and a parade route permit were all approved.

The parade route was for the High Uinta Athletics half marathon which was held on Saturday, June 14.

The street closures were for Fourth of July neighborhood block parties — one to be held on Sage Street between 4th and 5th streets, and the second on Arapahoe Circle.

One limited malt beverage permit was approved for the Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun Festival to be held at Bear Meadows on Thursday, July 4, and the second permit is for and adult softball tournament at the Overthrust ballfields on Saturday, July 26.

Two ordinances for zone changes for GTR Property Holdings on third and final reading were approved by the council. Following that approval, two resolutions amending the city’s master plan to authorize a zone change for the property requested by GTR Property Holdings were approved.

An ordinance amending section 24-71 A of the city code regarding sign permit fees and providing for the setting of sign permit fees by resolution approved by the city council was approved on first reading. There will be a second and third reading of this ordinance before final approval.

The final plat for the Karinski addition was approved by the council.

During public participation, resident Greg Wilson addressed the mayor and council and said he wanted to apologize to Mayor Williams for his statement at the council meeting several weeks prior.

“I would like to say tonight what I wanted to say then and I have a hard time when talking in front of a lot of people,” Wilson said. “I wanted to say that that little engine the 4420 has been here over 100 years and, unless it goes to a junk yard, will be here in another 100 years, long after we are all gone. We are the custodians of 4420 and our decisions will determine what the future for the little engine looks like. Again, I apologize for my brash words before.”

Mayor Williams responded, “I snapped back at you pretty quickly, so I want to return the apology. Thank you. No harm done and we will move forward.”

Cindy Crawford also addressed the council to say the Evanston Historic Preservation Committee had given a wonderful presentation about the past, present and future of historic projects like engine 4420 at the open house in the Roundhouse the previous week.