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METALINE FALLS — The Town Council of Metaline Falls and its mayor, with the input of several community members, has prepared its budget for 2026. To bring in a “black” budget, some tough decisions have been made.
The Metaline Falls 2026 budget will have two more public hearings prior to a final vote by the council. The first hearing will be on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and the second will be on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Both hearings start at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting. During this meeting the vote will be taken.
To boost revenue, which is constrained by circumstances, the council plans to implement a utility tax, which will take effect later in 2026. A resolution/ordinance will be presented once all legal directions are met. Further public hearings will be held on this tax.
Sewer rates will only be raised by 5% per year, which follows the town ordinance.
Several major public services/conveniences will be changed: All streetlights will be turned off, save for those on Fifth Avenue between Kubota and Washington. The savings to the town means the more than $500 per month for the lights will drop to approximately $50 per month, a savings of approximately $5,400 for the year.
Watering in Busta Park will be cut back to once every other day. This should maintain a respectable lawn.
Cuts to all expenditures, including office and maintenance, were made.
A new phone/internet company was contracted to cut expenses. Planned improvements have been put on hold.
To protect the salary and benefits of the town’s employees as much as possible, the following decisions were made: No change in the maintenance director’s hours or benefits; COLA (cost of living adjustment) will be made but with no actual raise in salary. The clerk/ treasurer will cut hours open to the public and be restricted to three days per week while benefits remain unchanged; COLA will be made but with no actual raise in salary.
The temporary treasurer’s assistant position will be kept but on a limited basis. No benefits are involved.
The part-time maintenance position, held by Nancy Kiss, will be eliminated. The work she has done will be volunteer only, which Kiss has said she would continue to do.
Costs of the flowers, well over $800 per year, will be through donation only. Costs for any additional beautification such as banners and displays will be through donation only.
Mayor Tara Leininger praises the council members for making the hard decision, and especially Council Member Tessin Maxwell for her work on the finances and budget.
The citizens of Metaline Falls are encouraged to attend one or both public hearings so that they might ask questions and give input on the 2026 budget.
For more information, contact the Town Hall at 509-446-2211.
