Council questions insurance deductibles, engineering funds, consulting fees and trash contract in 2026 budget review

Councilors at the Oct. 23 Committee of the Whole meeting reviewed several specific 2026 budget line items and asked staff for additional detail and reallocation options.

On insurance, the controller explained an increase in the controller’s “other” line item to $83,000 reflected a roughly $70,000 rise tied to property‑claim deductibles processed through Liberty Mutual Insurance. "The increase represents expenses for insurance property claim deductibles for Liberty Mutual Insurance," the controller said, adding that going forward departments that incur claims will be charged from their own budgets rather than the controller’s line.

Councilors suggested shifting claim payments to the department responsible for the loss to increase accountability. The controller and council members discussed moving the $70,000 out of the…