Platteville manager previews 2025 budget; health premiums, staffing and CIP funding highlighted

City Manager Clint presented a high-level overview of the proposed 2025 budget to the Platteville Common Council on Oct. 8, telling the council the plan aims to maintain existing services while addressing rising costs for insurance, wages and infrastructure.

The manager said staff recommended a 3% general cost-of-living guideline for employees and reported an 8.9% renewal on the city’s current health insurance plan after broker negotiations. "A time to repair a roof is when the sun is shining," Clint said, using the phrase to summarize the budget’s emphasis on preventive maintenance and reserves.

The nut graf: the draft keeps core services and current staffing while proposing a more modest levy impact than earlier estimates by redirecting resources, adding $400,000 in levy support for capital improvements and relying on the recently completed note sale to lower near-term debt-service pressure.

Major points and figures discussed - Health insurance: staff said the initial medical loss ratio trended high and that negotiations produced an 8.9% renewal for the existing UW Quartz plan; staff warned plan design changes or carrier changes remain options if costs rise further. (City staff presented the renewal figure.) - Wages: guidance issued to departments assumes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for general employees in 2025; step increases would continue where applicable. The Wisconsin Professional Police Association contract negotiated a higher schedule (5/4/3), which staff said would place police increases above the general employee guideline in 2025. - Capital and CIP: the recommended budget would direct $400,000 of levy support to the capital improvement fund (about $100,000 more than 2024) for vehicle and equipment replacement, building repairs, park improvements and sidewalks. Staff noted remaining unmet CIP needs, particularly street work and certain building repairs. - Debt and levy impacts: earlier planning showed a higher levy effect (roughly 16%). After incorporating sale-of-notes results presented earlier in the meeting, staff said the draft showed a 4.9% operating impact and a 7.9% overall levy impact including the fire facility debt service; staff estimated the final levy impact could be materially lower (staff cited a possible ~$200,000 reduction in near-term debt-service levy after the note sale) and said council will see updated numbers at the Oct. 15 special meeting. - Contingency and risk: staff proposed creating a citywide contingency (partly funded through CIP planning) and shifting some one-time funds away from operating-balancing uses. The manager warned that maintenance backlog, vehicle insurance increases and recruitment/turnover risks remain.

City Manager Clint and Finance staff asked the council to review full worksheets and attend an Oct. 15 special meeting (5 p.m.) to vet department budgets and any adjustments. Staff said workbook detail would be distributed in advance if possible.

Quotes and council context Clint: "A time to repair a roof is when the sun is shining," a line he used to frame preventive maintenance, reserves and the budget’s focus on avoiding crisis-driven spending.

Nicola (Finance staff) and Clint answered multiple council questions about health-insurance negotiation outcomes, debt capacity and CIP priorities. Council members asked for printed copies of worksheets for the Oct. 15 session.

Ending Staff emphasized the budget remains a draft and said council direction through October would shape the final levy and CIP package. The council scheduled a detailed review for Oct. 15.