17 WEEKLY 2026
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Why the City is Looking for Savings Under the budget Harding previously presented, the city’s projected General Fund ending balance was approximately $281,988. The city’s policy calls for reserves equal to 15% of expenditures, requiring approximately $686,601. The city also has tax credits it could potentially sell, generating an estimated $385,000 if all are sold, though that revenue is not guaranteed. Under the 5% exercise, the projected
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COUNCIL USES 5% CUT EXERCISE TO TEST 2027 BUDGET OPTIONS August 4 work session examined what deeper reductions could mean for city services, while proposed cuts to economic development, the Chamber and The Maple remain part of the discussion The Baldwin City Council continued work on the proposed 2027 budget during an Aug. 4 work session, asking city staff and department heads to show what an additional 5% reduction in General Fund spending could look like. Council members repeatedly emphasized that the 5% reduction was an exercise, not a proposed across-the-board cut or final budget decision. City Administrator Russ Harding said he worked with department heads line by line to identify potential reductions. The exercise was intended to show how deeply the city could cut, what services would be affected and how those savings could help rebuild city reserves. Later, council members again clarified that they were not proposing the 5% scenario, but using it to determine whether additional savings existed and what those reductions would mean in practice.
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ending balance would increase to approximately $491,382 — closer to the city’s reserve goal, but still short of the 15% target. Harding said many potential cuts would be detrimental to the city’s overall functionality because departments already have few areas left to reduce. Potential reductions included less funding for community events, bringing Christmas light installation in-house, reducing road maintenance materials, fewer downtown flower baskets, eliminating $10,000 proposed for Spring Creek Lake and reducing fire department equipment funding. The city’s financial adviser cautioned that Baldwin City was already operating lean before the exercise, citing road maintenance, staffing and community event funding as areas where the city was already struggling to keep pace.
Chamber Asks Council to Reconsider Reduction Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana Mullis addressed the council about the proposed reduction in Chamber funding. Mullis said the city’s investment supports programs, events and services that benefit the community beyond Chamber membership. She said the proposed budget represents a 53% reduction in Chamber funding and asked the council to consider a more moderate reduction. Later, a council member asked whether the reduction could instead be phased in over two or three years, noting that a $20,000 savings could have broader impacts on sales tax revenue, quality of
life and community activities. No final decision was made during the work session.
What the Budget Changes Mean for The Maple The city’s partnership with The Maple has included funding for two separate publications: $6,000 annually for The Maple Weekly newspaper and $3,000 annually for The Maple magazine. Understanding the financial circumstances the city is facing, The Maple Weekly is not asking the city to continue its $6,000 partnership with the newspaper. However, The Maple is strongly encouraging the council not to sever its $3,000 annual partnership with The Maple magazine. The magazine began through conversations with the City of Baldwin City five years ago with the goal of creating a publication dedicated to telling Baldwin City’s stories, improving communication and preserving local history. The $3,000 partnership helps support a publication created by more than a dozen local writers, photographers and contributors. The Maple magazine will continue regardless of the council’s final decision, but The Maple believes the city’s investment represents an important partnership in telling, documenting and preserving the story of Baldwin City. The Maple Weekly Will End Mail Subscriptions Although The Maple Weekly is not requesting continued city funding, the loss of the $6,000 partnership means changes are necessary to keep the newspaper
sustainable. The most significant will be the end of paid mail subscriptions. But The Maple Weekly is not going away. The newspaper will continue publishing weekly, with plans to increase the number of printed copies available around Baldwin City, add new newspaper racks and strengthen its digital presence. The Maple is currently looking for additional locations to host newspaper racks. Businesses, organizations or residents with private property in visible, accessible locations who are willing to host a rack are encouraged to reach out. Current subscribers will continue receiving mailed copies for the Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 issues. After Aug. 24, mailed subscriptions will end. Anyone who purchased a subscription at the beginning of the year may request a $9 prorated refund for the remaining four months by emailing jenni@baldwinmaple.com. If a recent subscription is inadvertently overlooked, please reach out. The Maple sincerely apologizes to subscribers. Ending mailed delivery was not a decision made lightly, but it is a change in how the newspaper is distributed — not whether it will continue. The Maple Weekly will continue covering the city government, schools, businesses, events and people of Baldwin City, with plans for more public distribution and an expanded digital reach. The Maple isn’t going anywhere. The way we deliver the newspaper may be changing, but our commitment to telling Baldwin City’s stories is not.