The City Commission reviewed a proposed fiscal-year budget that keeps the millage rate at 5.45 mills and tentatively allocates $60,000 to begin providing medical benefits for commissioners. City Manager Dale Martin presented the budget and said staff can refine benefit costs before final adoption.

The tentative $60,000 allocation was proposed as a placeholder so the commission can study a personnel policy change in September and consider whether commissioner positions should receive the same basic medical coverage the city provides to employees. "We can get the numbers for you because we're in open enrollment right now," Martin said, noting the city currently provides 100% coverage for employees and that the total cost depends on enrollment. Mayor King and multiple commissioners signaled support for a September personnel-policy discussion and agreed to tentatively include the $60,000 in the budget while staff produces precise estimates.

Beyond benefits, the budget review covered standard adjustments: increases in some fee-based revenues, a push to convert a part-time fire inspector to full time, and several capital requests. Dale Martin reminded the commission the budget as presented is balanced and that unallocated funds of about $60,000 exist and could be used if the commission decides to finalize benefits funding now.

The commission did not take a formal vote to change the personnel policy during the session. Instead members directed staff to return in September with detailed personnel-policy options and benefit-cost estimates. If the commission approves a change after that process, staff said the $60,000 placeholder can be adjusted and the final number incorporated into the adopted budget.