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Franklin committee debates health care, wages and staffing as major drivers of 2026 costs
Summary
Committee members and staff said rising health-insurance claims, police and fire contract increases, and long-unfilled public-works positions are key budget pressures. Options discussed included requiring spouses to use employer plans, deferring hires, attrition, and shared services.
Finance staff and committee members told the Finance Committee that labor and benefit costs — particularly health insurance and contract negotiations for police and fire — are the largest drivers of the city's budget pressure and will shape 2026 decisions.
Danielle (finance staff) said the city is "struggling to balance the budget with all of the expected inflation and the limited amount of revenues" and that labor and benefits are a key pressure. She told the committee the city is tracking potential increases and said "we're not so sure what this year is gonna look like" for health-care cost growth.
The committee discussed…
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