Committee OKs $50 annual clothing allowance increase for DPW, sewer and water staff (effective 2026)

The committee approved adding $50 per year to the clothing allowance for Department of Public Works, sewer and water employees, with the change to be included in the 2026 budget. Committee members said the increase followed an employee request raised at a prior meeting. A staff member and the finance director discussed affordability for the 2026 budget cycle and recommended the $50 increase. "We all believe that... an additional $50 a year is is good, something that we can handle, financially, and that that would be available to the sewer and water and the DPW employees," a staff presenter said. The motion to increase the allowance was made, seconded and carried without recorded opposition in the transcript. Staff and the chair noted the increase would be reflected in the 2026 budget and that any further discussion could occur at budget time.