BELLE — After revising several planned funding allocations during a special meeting June 29, the Belle Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget, outlining spending priorities for infrastructure improvements, equipment purchases and park projects.

The board began the meeting by approving the city’s property and liability insurance renewal for the upcoming fiscal year and authorized payment of the first installment through recurring ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments, meaning automatic electronic bank transfers. Insurance representative Mike Clark told the board overall premiums increased by about $1,300, despite one unresolved liability claim continuing to affect the city’s insurance rates.

Charro Reasor, office manager-city treasurer, then guided the board through the proposed budget department by department, recommending several changes before adoption. Among those revisions were removing approximately $8,000 in property and liability insurance expenses from the court department and redistributing those costs among other city departments. Reasor also recommended increasing the amount of franchise tax revenue allocated to the court department by another 5% to help balance its budget.

Rather than delaying approval, Reasor recommended adopting the budget while allowing additional time to reorganize departmental accounts later in the fiscal year.

“What my suggestion would be, that what we approve this month, we do for the first quarter of the year…Then, if that’s something I can bring to you in the July or August meeting, then you can approve it to start second quarter. That would give me time to get the things I need to do,” Reasor said.

The board recessed briefly while Reasor prepared revised budget documents reflecting the approved changes before returning to complete its review.

The adopted budget includes funding for several capital projects and equipment purchases during the coming fiscal year, including continued asphalt and street overlay work, a replacement mower for the parks department, a skid steer and a future service truck. Reasor said the capital improvements fund also includes up to $48,000 for asphalt work.

Water system improvements also remain a priority. Reasor said the water department is entering the new fiscal year in strong financial condition and that the budget includes approximately $50,000 for future water line replacement projects associated with planned street repairs.

“Water has done great this year, as well,” Reasor said. “It’s definitely under budget…we’ve budgeted $50,000 there for those street repairs that we want to get some new water lines into.”

Board members also reviewed planned improvements to the city park, including installation materials for new playground equipment. Reasor said the park budget includes approximately $7,645 for borders, mulch or other materials needed to install the playground equipment.

Officials said they completed a rough estimate of about $4,600 for the playground border alone. That estimate does not include corners or other pieces, including an ADA-compliant entrance into the playground area.

Officials said work will begin at the main city park before similar improvements are considered for the Community Center playground.

The board also received an update on the FEMA-funded bridge project. City officials said additional engineering revisions requested during the federal review process have delayed the project, making it unlikely the city will receive grant funding for at least two years.

Following review of the revised budget, the Board of Aldermen approved the fiscal year 2026-27 spending plan by all voting in favor during the roll call vote.