The Sedalia City Council took a walk through the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 during their meeting Monday, March 3.

The council reviewed the budget in four sections, defining the city’s priorities for the next year. Interim City Administrator Matthew Wirt ran through some of the highlights.

Council members voted on a handful of amendments. The council split 4-3 on adding a gooseneck trailer for an asphalt paver, with mayor pro tem Tina Boggess declaring the motion passed in Mayor Andrew Dawson’s absence. Second Ward Councilman Chris Marshall was also absent Monday. The council agreed unanimously to add a $50,000 line item for long term disability insurance for city employees, and allocating $29,500 to refit a drone already in possession of the Sedalia Police Department for use as a first responder drone.

Concerned about the amount of reserves being tapped, fourth ward councilwoman Rhiannon Foster moved to have two items stricken from the budget. The council agreed to remove a pair of fast rescue boards totaling $5200, with Steve Bloess objecting. The council then voted 5-2 against striking line items buying new furniture for employee break rooms, totaling $3500. Wirt says while city officials are aware that the proposal is drawing on the city’s reserves, the balance remains healthy for the time being.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, representatives from The Embassy drug abuse ministry provided the city council an update on their renovations, which the city is helping cover through opioid settlement funds. They advised the council that after discovering new issues with their facility’s basement, they will be seeking an additional $100,000 from the fund to cover the added costs. The council said they would consider the request at a later meeting.