Finance committee previews 2026 budget with staffing proposals, higher insurance costs and GIS investment

City Manager Boyer outlined the city’s proposed budget schedule and department requests at a finance committee meeting, telling committee members the presentations will cover department-by-department budgets leading to a November public hearing and formal readings of the tax levy and budget. “I’d like to start out with our proposed schedule for the budget,” Boyer said, summarizing dates for departmental presentations and public hearings.

The committee heard staff describe several staffing proposals and several recurring cost increases that drove most department-level budget increases. The most discussed items were a part-time administrative position shared across the city clerk, finance and human resources; a proposed code-enforcement/building inspector position; and investment in GIS and information-systems support for utility and field staff. Staff also pointed to a widespread rise in medical-insurance costs as a major driver of higher department totals.

Why it matters: The presentations are the staff-level step that will shape the city’s 2026 appropriations and the tax-levy readings. The committee did not adopt the draft budget at the meeting; members asked clarifying questions and flagged items for follow-up before formal readings and votes.

Boyer presented a calendar of upcoming budget work. He said the committee would review police and fire budgets together, then go through utilities, public works and other funds; staff said a public hearing is scheduled…