[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6668059,"mediaKeyId","2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150","parentId",2245649,"title","Clinton City finance staff present tight FY26 general fund with $38,000 projected surplus","audioSeconds",8260,"startMs",303000,"endMs",8563000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150&start=303&end=8563","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150/thumbnail_303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6668059/Clinton-City/Clinton-County/Iowa/Clinton-City-finance-staff-present-tight-FY26-general-fund-with-38000-projected-surplus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668059-db2c145e7572ca7eba7c28336e835084/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222587&Signature=nZa9KnLKcO4xKQ5y65kkbccZrqCXLd9Rq~BP5mZGgBPvnCDB9tHVrChCFxtQsyZAfOnxXUDl2mpFOX7z92d-Ax4TOCamgTwnGl92T~qkbkfGlLL2IfcdzWPxWJLKZaOWgv9zCMpjySLZP6pZPKrVl6nmOVI0LyW2XzO2W2fw84PPze5V0JTW1bm3cZ58196MtDecqFKpEynP5gR~SK6mq0gm5XbAvGtA8ds-zLcKTN3~QCHUMQwRIQoItHv9rW95bwiyaT39hDlBmRUnDbwP6EeEJ~TBsSU8cIZ53Xjm4QTZCEtXnSOW1e26C3rqodu5TagDyPhCOyi4Ho9JAwG8gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clinton","date","2025-02-07T00:06:54.397Z","article","Anita, a city finance staff member, opened the council's second FY26 budget workshop with a summary of property-tax and general-fund projections and cautioned the council that the proposed budget leaves little margin for error.

\"We have projected revenues of $25,900,000 and projected expenses of $25,893,000 which leaves a surplus of $37,965,\" Anita said as she reviewed the summary sheet, noting limited reserves and the potential for year-end shortfalls.

The surplus figure is small compared with recent draws on fund balance. Finance staff said the general fund used surplus dollars in FY23 and FY24 and that the city finished FY24 with roughly $1.9 million in reserve. Finance staff also noted Clinton's residential rollback rate has fluctuated in recent years — staff said rollback for the current year was about 46.34% compared with higher rates in prior years — and that the council must reach a combined general fund levy of 8.10 by FY29 under state rules discussed during the presentation.

Council members and staff focused questions on revenue assumptions and one-time receipts that affect the projection. Anita walked through line items including building-permit revenue tied to a large industrial permit (approximately $600,000–$640,000, as noted in the presentation) and franchise fees, which she said have lagged the budgeted levels for FY25 and required a conservative estimate for FY26. \"We must be conservative on franchise fees,\" Anita said, noting the fiscal-year-to-date reporting used to build the budget reflects payments through 12/31 and accrual timing can make apparent receipts look low midyear.

Council members pressed for more detail on recent draws from fund balance that produced the prior years' deficit figures and asked staff to identify which line items and off-budget approvals (for example, economic-development payments such as the Lafayette payment discussed in the workshop) contributed most to using reserves. Finance staff said some one-off commitments — not routine departmental overspending — accounted for much of the recent use of surplus funds.

Because the projected surplus is small, council members asked for a tighter process to monitor year-to-date spending. Several members proposed more frequent finance-committee reviews and clearer tracking of off-budget commitments so the council sees the cumulative impact rather than isolated transactions.

The council took a procedural vote to continue the remaining budget discussion to the council meeting scheduled for Feb. 13. Roll call recorded unanimous agreement to defer remaining items for follow-up and additional documentation.

Looking ahead, Anita and other staff recommended the council authorize adoption of the budget document as presented only after the follow-up session, emphasizing that the FY26 proposal keeps the city on track without increasing the general levy in the short term but leaves limited room for unexpected cost growth or revenue shortfalls.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Meeting - Feb 06 2025 - Additional Attachments Added","oneSentenceSummary","Anita, a city finance staff member, opened the council's second FY26 budget workshop with a summary of property-tax and general-fund projections and cautioned the council that the proposed budget leaves little margin for error.","taxTitle","Clinton City, Clinton County, Iowa","taxId",55531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668049,"Council hears that ambulance revenue flows to general fund; chiefs urge setting aside funds for vehicle replacement",221,2819000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150&start=2819&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150/thumbnail_2819000.jpg","/articles/6668049/Clinton-City/Clinton-County/Iowa/Council-hears-that-ambulance-revenue-flows-to-general-fund-chiefs-urge-setting-aside-funds-for-vehicle-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668049-6557d2c6ead6ff0257c73045970727d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222587&Signature=F-BlVAhRi0mEoOd3wtmAovG~NCfEp0BJtXrUNqac1J7b9rIuBGoYIotq-iX791dtPTziRO4dpb4QfzDhrAMWar2gBEN66s8H6yYotaadQyRogdPofoX46jxeCE1mQ-HAjIK10Febl0U~uGdVYjQwsXocEnyw~Ris1xREFrETzwq3Q7f5hR5jDmsT0i4-9lvG0CQD0p0CwtQttcIx2brOkmPemzfNbq1v0lVXY7KKGZnUk2uSfXLE7xQkFTD~~eodQml9Az7vypSZO6FHKfQa4C1xDhjnLZUbPi4pX0jXsoxWdoQ4s~imKzsIxIzKCqgx342dVyUvKC8r2HcfSuGztw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire department and finance staff told the council that ambulance and ground-transport revenues have increased in recent years but are currently treated as general fund revenue rather than being set aside for vehicle and equipment replacement.

Chief (fire) described trends in emergency medical transport receipts, saying the city is seeing growth in ambulance revenue that in prior budget years rose from about $1.6 million to a number staff presented as $1.8 million in the FY26 projection. Later in the discussion a staff member referenced a revenue figure of about $2.1 million for emergency transport operations for the current year; staff explained that accounting for these receipts is spread across multiple funds and that the apparent discrepancy depends on accrual and timing of payments.

Council members and fire leadership discussed the city's practice of using ambulance receipts in the general fund to support broad operations, then borrowing or bonding for vehicle purchases. Councilmember Seeley asked why some ambulance revenue is not reserved for ambulance replacements; chiefs and finance staff said the current accounting rolls revenue into the general fund and then distributes to operating costs and other programs. \"You're running the ambulance service as a business, as far as I see it. That means there needs to be money set aside to replace those ambulances,\" a councilmember said during the exchange.

Fire staff and some council members proposed creating an internal reserve or a proprietary enterprise fund for ambulance operations so charges and capital replacement are transparent and self-contained; staff noted doing so would require accounting changes and discussion about allocating costs for dual-role personnel (firefighters who also staff ambulances). Staff said they will research options for establishing a replacement reserve or proprietary fund and discuss how much of current ambulance receipts can be set aside while maintaining other obligations, and will include that follow-up in the upcoming budget session.","Fire and finance staff told the council ambulance and ground-transport revenues have grown but are rolled into the general fund and used across multiple funds; chiefs recommended establishing a reserve to replace ambulances and reduce future borrowing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668050,"Council and staff press to address rising health-insurance costs; consultants to provide scenarios",478,1688000,2166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150&start=1688&end=2166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150/thumbnail_1688000.jpg","/articles/6668050/Clinton-City/Clinton-County/Iowa/Council-and-staff-press-to-address-rising-health-insurance-costs-consultants-to-provide-scenarios","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668050-99ed144d7d0ea36b05bb3baafc2d5360/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222587&Signature=gaXqDY6Cd70YXzYYrEJIdKnNQ1ewG02IXY7I0ubWWfqgk5fMQI1ly4TAPsGt1Te8ajSuWmi3SXHkTjRqZt8LrRFZse2ES~sb-O-dUO-WJkM08xdbKdVp6tr64kUCA8gx~K1Jx7HL0stKX6xCtqKXJWuJekc1-zrYNMIkcfLHJb6ispgGKnTwdSU76~CDzvCVufogWQ3xbSnk-np6oeWYB-JT~Jc6Jhv33-tRzM30jFeeQOMYt9p542--~Co816Dl9JqkuPgVCttRw4sPJfS29hiCH2MuJNmJWzjKxJXYbSwrb9PDWk3aaa2wfMNwmeqvGMiaZ3JKCIVAuQBsVe57cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and staff discussed the city's self-funded health-insurance fund and how rising claims and premium costs are increasing the city's fiscal exposure.

Anita described the city's practice of charging departments a \"premium-equivalency rate\" for employee health insurance and said she budgeted a 5% increase for FY26. She explained the city has used fund balance in the self-funded health-insurance fund to buy down the levy in recent years and that the premium-equivalency rate is charged back to departments. \"We levy for it, it comes into the levy fund... the premium equivalency rate from the departments goes into this fund,\" Anita said when explaining the flow of health-insurance levy and departmental contributions.

Council members pressed for a plan to reduce the city's exposure. Staff said they had asked their benefits consultant — Cunningham Butler — to provide multiple scenarios showing cost impacts if the city increased employee contributions to the plan (examples discussed included 10%, 15%, and higher levels). Staff said earlier modeling showed employee cost-sharing has to move substantially (into the 20%+ range) before the city's claims experience and net cost picture materially change, but that the city should start implementing incremental changes now and pair them with plan-design changes (for example, higher deductibles or spousal carve-outs) where feasible.

Council members asked staff to convene a small working group and to schedule a finance-committee meeting with the consultant to review concrete proposals within a month. Staff agreed to try to schedule the consultant to present near-term options and costs and said a follow-up could be part of the Feb. 13 budget workshop or a dedicated finance-committee meeting, depending on scheduling.","Clinton City council and staff discussed rising health-insurance costs and whether to shift a greater share of premiums to employees; budget staff said they modeled a 5% premium-equivalency increase for FY26 and will present scenarios showing the effect of different employee shares.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668056,"Police and fire chiefs warn council cuts could force next-year overruns; vehicle plan and equipment costs debated",2151,589000,2740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150&start=589&end=2740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245649-44599f9c3e8bd6d45b222e7dc6b3f150/thumbnail_589000.jpg","/articles/6668056/Clinton-City/Clinton-County/Iowa/Police-and-fire-chiefs-warn-council-cuts-could-force-next-year-overruns-vehicle-plan-and-equipment-costs-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668056-346746cc09ff45152354fc1566328ac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222587&Signature=Lhk~qg1MDYTXfHewj2pHMdXiE03LOJRi1vvc34q9Bjkvp3Pazn~LQToBFcuXHl9a3CHnjdUID3UmM2SHLkr2~6SildY1Crfca-FzVCsuNuxn4TIFvoIgJM15yEBpuQ-zrJ0v~Kr51asyfFlZWrrWj9MxyWdgykLtY3~oM4SXX0nJPhZiAD-315SrljYcOeznkDmCTLD4sZ4fasqGEJDiLgmyoJHL1~rzlPs7AOQOejYJ8ZySDoP59BcWcNQXCHyzvTuG5aipaYnrwQHiOqxUDEYwDJrNKghaOZAxR6Nsl~Rial-Rg6UKVhtvKzUglTJIQLA-vkrIbqQWpuKDKZMAIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police and fire leaders told the council the FY26 budget as presented includes cuts the departments say they cannot absorb without creating service or cost problems next year.

Chief (police), identified in workshop remarks as the department's lead, said the police vehicle replacement plan had been altered in recent years and that cuts in FY26 left his department short of planned equipment. He said the department's previous multi-year vehicle rotation had been reduced and that he was told to remove one vehicle this year; when he received the FY26 budget he found a request for three vehicles instead of two. \"I can't afford to cut,\" he said, arguing the finance adjustments forced deep, untargeted cuts in police line items. The chief asked for an opportunity to work with finance to shift $29,000 within his department's budget to avoid operational shortfalls while keeping the department's total budget figure unchanged.

Police technology costs were a repeated topic. Staff and council members noted the police department has an ongoing contract for Axon body cameras and TASER equipment. The chief said the city secured a long-term contract that saved money over the 10-year horizon even though the current annual contract line is higher than in previous budgets; council members and staff said the line should remain clear in the budget so the long-term savings are visible.

Fire Department leadership explained their budget includes six positions initially funded by a SAFER grant; those employees remain in staffing totals even though the SAFER grant provides partial-year revenue in FY26. Fire leadership said the department's goal is to maintain current staffing levels to avoid brownouts and meet automatic-aid and ISO-rating expectations. Chief (fire) said ground emergency medical transport (ambulance) revenue has increased but that the city has not dedicated a portion of that revenue to vehicle replacement and capital needs; instead, ambulance and transport receipts roll into the general fund and are used to support multiple funds, which the chiefs said obscures capital-replacement planning for ambulance vehicles.

Fire staff highlighted mandatory overtime and minimum-staffing contractual provisions that drive budget volatility. The department's minimum-staffing and overtime lines have risen in recent years due to retirements, injuries and FMLA; fire leadership told the council that cutting minimum-staffing pay by 45% would undermine the department's ability to maintain safe staffing levels and the ISO rating that affects insurance classification.

Council members asked both department heads to identify which line items are essential and which can be shifted so finance staff can produce a revised proposal. Anita (city finance staff member) and department leaders agreed to follow their normal practice of meeting to reallocate within department totals where possible and to bring highlighted adjustments to the next budget session.","Police and fire leaders told the Clinton City Council recent line-item cuts will force them to exceed budgets next year unless the council reconsiders where cuts were made; discussions focused on vehicle replacement plans, Axon body-camera/taser contracts and SAFER grant staffing for fire.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clinton City finance staff present tight FY26 general fund with $38,000 projected surplus

Council hears that ambulance revenue flows to general fund; chiefs urge setting aside funds for vehicle replacement

Council and staff press to address rising health-insurance costs; consultants to provide scenarios

Police and fire chiefs warn council cuts could force next-year overruns; vehicle plan and equipment costs debated