Budget breakdown: Bleak

Outgoing Tracy City Administrator Erik Hansen presided over his final budget meeting last week. Photo / Per Peterson

The Tracy City Council covered an array of topics at last Tuesday’s budget workshop, and made some informal decisions on a number of them as they took their first step in what is setting up to be a tough, uphill fiscal battle.

Facing a debt service that will peak this year to more than $1.6 million and continue to climb slowly until it finally retreats in 2026, the council heard a presentation from outgoing City Administrator Erik Hansen before giving their thoughts on the year ahead. Because he is leaving his post after three-plus years and won’t be around when final decisions concerning the budget and future levies are made, Hansen told the council his role Tuesday was more consultant than administrator.

See more in this week’s paper!