In a special meeting lasting just 13 minutes last week, serenated by boisterous thunderstorms, the Holbrook City Council approved the city’s primary property tax levy for the coming fiscal year and designated a representative for a federal hazard mitigation grant application.

The council passed the ordinance setting the primary property tax rate at $0.4598 per $100 of assessed valuation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the same rate as last year. The levy is expected to raise $120,157, about $2,849 more than the $117,308 collected last year. City Manager Randy Sullivan emphasized that the increase comes entirely from new construction, valued at $682,136, rather than any rate hike.

“For the public, we are not raising the rates,” Sullivan told the council. For a home valued at $100,000, the tax amounts to $45.98.

The vote came with some discussion about the tax’s future. Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson said he supported passing the ordinance but favored gradually reducing the tax over the next five years, citing concerns about the burden on residents. Council members agreed to take a harder look at the numbers when budget talks begin in January. All but councilmember Robert Black voted to pass the ordinance.

The council also unanimously approved Resolution 26-16, designating City Planner Kevin Auster as the city’s authorized representative for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance sub-application submitted through the FEMA Grants Outcomes portal. Sullivan noted the city has hired a grant writer and is pursuing as many grant opportunities as possible, telling the council to expect similar items on upcoming agendas.

The hazard mitigation application comes as Holbrook continues recovering from recent flooding that left mud and water damage at several downtown businesses and displaced some residents. City officials said a volunteer recovery group was expected over the weekend to assist affected households, and residents can report flood damage through the city’s website.

Mayor Kathleen Smith, Vice Mayor Nelson, and council members Black, Teri Tafoya and Karina Pack were present, with Pack participating by phone, councilmembers Roxanne Pergeson and Arcenio Pacheco were absent.