Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield City Council for April 2, 2026

Litchfield City Council Meeting | April 2, 2026

The Litchfield City Council meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2026, was dominated by forward-looking financial and infrastructure planning. The council received a detailed breakdown of the proposed $19.5 million capital budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and navigated complex engineering timelines to secure state funding for a $23 million wastewater plant rehabilitation. The board also addressed immediate safety and aesthetic concerns by waiving bidding for over $112,000 in emergency water plant repairs and approving two residential demolitions funded by state grants.

Campground Showerhouses to Receive Non-Slip Upgrades
The council approved a proposal from Budd’s Paint Service to apply a single broadcast resurface coating on the concrete floors of the shower houses at both the Bi-Centennial Campground and Equestrian Campground. The floors had become worn and increasingly smooth, creating slip hazards for guests. The project, which was not specifically budgeted in FY26, will be covered by available General Fund dollars at a cost not to exceed $13,400, or $6,700 per shower house.

Seasonal Wages Set for Pickers Market
To remain competitive in hiring and retaining temporary help, the council unanimously passed a resolution setting the hourly wage for seasonal staff at the Litchfield Pickers Market. Temporary employees will earn the current minimum wage rate of $15.00 per hour for the 2026 season. The financial impact, capped at $31,000, will be drawn from the Tourism Salaries fund.

City Receives Clean Bill of Financial Health
The council officially accepted the Fiscal Year 2025 audit presented by Sikich CPA LLC. The city received an “unqualified opinion,” the highest level of assurance indicating that there were no material misstatements and that Litchfield’s financial statements are accurate and compliant with all Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.

Spring Cleanup and Brush Pickup Scheduled
During the public participation segment, officials announced the upcoming schedule for city maintenance services. Brush pickup will begin on Monday, April 13, starting in Ward 1 and progressing through all four wards, weather permitting. The citywide spring cleanup program will follow, running from Monday, April 20 through April 24, concluding with an appliance drop-off day on Friday, April 24.