London City Council held a second reading of Ordinance 188-25 — the city’s appropriations ordinance for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026 — and spent the bulk of its discussion on a newly proposed events budget line.

A motion to read the ordinance by title was moved and seconded; council then discussed details of the draft budget presented to members. Greg, a council member and finance committee speaker, summarized recent event spending and the proposed new line: “In 2024, events totaled $9,696; in 2025 to date we've spent $6,488.33. The newly proposed event line is for $40,000,” he said, and suggested keeping an events line closer to prior-year spending: “I would suggest that we leave that amount at $10,000.”

Mayor Klasser defended the proposed increase as a way to grow city programming and buy durable equipment. He said the administration envisions purchasing a portable stage and a PA system so events can be held at multiple locations, and argued that the city could expand offerings for teenagers and families if additional funding were available. “We can maintain these events with $10,000,” the mayor said, “but we'd like to grow them.”

Council members raised budgetary constraints and tradeoffs. The finance committee report cited annual revenues of $21,628,411.78 (including about $4.2 million in bond proceeds) and expenses of $16,632,345.47; Greg noted that removing bond money leaves adjusted revenue of approximately $17,428,927. He characterized the budget increase as a roughly 6.9% rise over the previous year and cautioned against adding new recurring lines without clear need.

Members discussed reallocating amounts that have historically paid for events (mayor’s miscellaneous, city hall, parks and rec, and safety-service miscellaneous) rather than creating a larger general-fund line. One council member suggested renting equipment until the city confirmed sustained usage and demand for larger programming.

No final change to Ordinance 188-25 was recorded at the meeting; council kept the item for further consideration at the next reading. The second-reading motion and the debate over the events line were the principal outcomes on the ordinance at this session.

The council proceeded to round-table items and then moved to adjourn.