City Council reviews $2M General Government budget with staffing impacts and IT upgrades

Georgetown City Council has outlined a budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year during its recent budget workshop on April 17, 2025. The proposed budget for general government stands at approximately $2 million, reflecting a decrease primarily due to adjustments in medical insurance funding rather than cuts to personnel or services.

City officials confirmed that there will be no new staffing requests for City Hall, allowing existing positions to stabilize and manage workloads effectively. The budget reflects a $500,000 reduction in the medical and hospital line item, attributed to a reallocation of funds to bolster the medical insurance fund. This adjustment ensures that salaries and benefits remain intact while addressing the city's healthcare costs.

The council also discussed the importance of integrating a new benefits platform with the payroll system to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. This move aims to streamline operations within the human resources department, which has been managing multiple systems that require manual data entry.

In terms of technology, the budget includes significant allocations for information technology services, which encompass managed service contracts and essential hardware updates. The council is prioritizing cybersecurity assessments and disaster recovery solutions, although some projects have been delayed due to shifting priorities.

Additionally, the council is exploring options for enhancing training opportunities for its members. There is interest in developing an elected official training incentive pay program, which would encourage council members to pursue further education and training, potentially improving governance and community engagement.

The budget workshop also touched on community services grants and the city's commitment to affordable housing initiatives, which are currently funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources. However, city officials noted that future funding for these initiatives will need to be absorbed into the general fund budget after the ARPA funding period concludes.

As the council moves forward, these budgetary decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the city's operational capabilities and community services in the coming year. The council is expected to finalize the budget in the upcoming sessions, ensuring that Georgetown continues to meet the needs of its residents effectively.