Mayor presents largely flat 2026 budget, highlights raises, health costs and one-time capital pressures

The mayor presented the administration’s 2026 proposed budget at a Sept. 11 workshop, saying the plan is “pretty flat” while describing personnel changes, higher health costs and one-time capital pressures that will affect the city’s cash balances. The proposed total 2026 budget presented to council is about $69.1 million.

The mayor said the budget includes a 2% across-the-board pay increase for employees and that some positions were restructured or converted to part time to manage benefits costs. The presentation also described targeted pay adjustments for a handful of roles: animal-control pay was increased toward the state average, golf maintenance staff received raises tied to new certifications, and the event director’s salary was raised to match other park leadership.

Why it matters: the mayor framed the budget against several financial constraints — rising health-care claims, vehicle and equipment price increases and an anticipated change in state law that will alter how municipalities receive revenue. The presentation said last year’s cuts set a lower baseline for 2026, reducing the need for deeper reductions now but forcing use of one-time funds in some areas.

Most important fiscal details and context - Employee pay: 2% across-the-board raise included in the proposed budget; certain roles received larger increases tied to market parity or new certifications. The mayor said ranges will be added to the salary ordinance to differentiate new hires from long-tenured staff. - Riverboat revenue: the riverboat transfer to the…