The Nevis City Council voted to adopt the 2026 levy totaling $313,499 at the Monday, Dec. 8 meeting. It includes $122,332 for general government, $64,854 for streets, $78,871 for police, $27,799 for parks and $19,642 for fire protection. The total is a 3.6% decrease, or $11,792, from the 2025 levy, which totaled $325,291.
The council voted to reduce the preliminary 2026 levy from about $332,997 to about $313,499 using interest from city investment accounts in August. The council also approved the fire department’s proposed $215,290 budget for 2027.
Fire Chief Brent Nicklason presented a 30-year capital improvement plan outlining “the real cost of operating the fire department.” The document estimated when various pieces of equipment would need to be replaced and their approximate cost.
Nicklason said he included used prices for some pieces of equipment to keep prices down. Although estimated equipment cost fluctuates widely, the average cost worked out to $120,855 per year. Nicklason suggested presenting the 30-year plan to the townships during their budget review meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8.
