City budgets aren’t exactly thrilling beach reading—but they do affect your wallet, your neighborhood, and the work your city government can get done. Here’s a clear look at what Bradford City Council is proposing for 2026 based on the official ordinances.

2026 City Budget Ordinance: Where the Money Goes

(Ordinance CO 5565)

For 2026, the City of Bradford proposes a total General Fund budget of $10,525,011.20, up slightly from both 2024 and 2025.

General Fund Spending by Department

According to the budget table on page 1:

These funds cover everything from police and fire protection to road work, park upkeep, code enforcement, and general city operations.

Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD)

OECD has its own separate budget and is funded by administrative revenues:

• 2026 Submitted: $2,881,526 (per the table on page 1)

This funding does not come from the general tax base.

2026 Millage Ordinance: What You’ll Pay in Property Taxes

(Ordinance CO 3303)

The City sets property tax rates each year, and for 2026 they total 18.99 mills. That’s $18.99 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Breakdown of the 2026 Millage Rate

From the ordinance table on pages 1–2:

• 11.92 mills — General City Operations

• 0.147 mills — Bradford Public Library

• 2.94 mills — Debt Service (bond payments)

• 3.98 mills — Recreation & Parks

What this means for homeowners

For a home assessed at $50,000:

• Total tax = 50 × 18.99 mills ≈ $949.50

Any increase or decrease in taxes depends entirely on your assessment, not on home market value.

2026 Wage Ordinance Update: Salaries for City Employees

(Ordinance CO 5567)

This ordinance amends the city’s official salary schedule. All wage changes take effect January 16, 2026.

It covers every department, including City Hall, Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks, Property Maintenance, and OECD.

Here are the highlights from Exhibit A (pages 2–8):

Governing Body

• Mayor: $10,000
• Council Members (4): $5,000 each
• City Controller: $5,000

Administration

• City Administrator: $106,944.10
• HR Director: $47,098.28
• Utility Billing/Receptionist: $44,237.97
• Other admin roles range $39k–$46k

Police Department

• Police Chief: $84,183.49
• Sergeant/SRO: $80,971.54
• Patrol Officers: Mostly $68k–$78k depending on assignment and seniority
• Parking Enforcement (part-time): $17.55/hr

Fire Department

Salaries vary based on certifications, specialty stipends, and parity adjustments throughout 2026:

• Fire Chief: $83,188.31
• Deputy Chief: $75,414.39
• Firefighters/EMTs and Paramedics range roughly $44k–$74k
• Temporary firefighters: $16.16/hr

Public Works

• Streets Director: $78,883.11
• CDL Operators/Foremen: $17.58/hr – $26.29/hr
• Refuse collectors: $17.62/hr – $24.57/hr

Parks Department

• Parks Facilities Director: $70,196.31
• Part-time wages:
  • Lifeguards: $12.50/hr
  • Rink/Summer Staff: $12.50/hr–$13.50/hr
  • Seasonal CDL driver: $19.22/hr

Property Maintenance

• Property Maintenance Officers: ~$38k–$47k
• Laborer: $18/hr

OECD

• Executive Director: $87,550
• Other roles: $41k–$61k

In a Nutshell

These three ordinances outline:

• How the City will spend money in 2026
• How the City will tax property to fund services
• How much City employees will earn next year

Budgets and wages reflect the services residents rely on every day—public safety, streets, parks, code enforcement, and community development.

You can read the ordinances for yourself here: 2026 Wage Ordinance, 2026 Budget Ordinance, Millage Ordinance