City Council rejects first reading of budget, amendment approved to finance Ajax Turner non-profit

June 17, 2026 - 02:28

The City Council held its second first reading of the Fiscal Year budget on Tuesday night, but the outcome mirrored the previous session. Despite cutting more than $697,000 in proposed spending, council members voted down the budget once again.

The rejection came after hours of debate, with several council members arguing that the reductions did not go far enough to address core concerns about fiscal responsibility. Others expressed frustration that the cuts targeted essential services rather than administrative overhead.

However, the night was not without action. In a separate vote, the council approved an amendment to allocate funding for the Ajax Turner non-profit organization. The amendment, which passed with a narrow majority, sets aside a specific sum from the general fund to support the group's community programs. Supporters of the measure said the non-profit provides critical services that the city cannot afford to lose, particularly for at-risk youth and low-income families.

Opponents questioned the timing of the allocation, given the broader budget impasse. "We are rejecting a budget because we cannot agree on priorities, yet we are carving out money for a single organization," one council member said during the discussion.

The council is now expected to return to negotiations ahead of a third reading. Without a passed budget, the city faces the possibility of operating under a continuing resolution, which would freeze spending at current levels. The next meeting is scheduled for two weeks from now.