Clinton manager and finance director present FY25–26 budget; tax rate held steady and public hearing closed

The Clinton City Council on June 3 heard the city manager and the finance director present the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget, including personnel pay and benefits changes, modest utility rate increases and a plan to use a limited portion of the general fund balance. Council closed the public hearing and scheduled final action for the June 17 meeting.

Finance Director (Mann) summarized personnel and benefit provisions in the proposed budget. The director said the budget includes a 1.0% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, a new Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan effective July 1, addition of dental insurance at no cost to employees, and a 1% 401(k) employer match for non‑LEO employees (the meeting record shows law‑enforcement employees already have a different contribution arrangement). The presentation also flagged an increase in retirement contribution costs and continuing pressures from inflation and aging infrastructure.

Key budget numbers and proposals presented to council:

- Property tax rate: recommended to remain at $0.34 per $100 of assessed value. - Estimated citywide assessed valuation: $1,110,500,000. - Use of fund balance: staff proposed drawing $210,000 from the general fund balance for the coming year. - Residential curbside solid-waste fee: increase of $1 per month to $20.50. - Water and sewer: staff proposed a 3% increase to both base and consumption rates; examples presented showed monthly bill impacts (for 2,200 gallons/month an estimated $1.22 increase; for 6,000 gallons/month an estimated $1.89; for 12,000 gallons/month an estimated $3.00). - General fund composition: public safety (police and fire) was identified as the largest single category of general fund expenditures (presented as approximately 47.71% of the general fund in the presentation).

Manager and council remarks: City Manager (JP) and council members emphasized the challenge of balancing personnel needs and infrastructure requirements while keeping the tax rate stable. The manager noted the city expects capital needs in coming years and described the budget as “challenging but responsible.” Councilmembers discussed elected‑official stipends and noted some members planned personal salary adjustments (the mayor indicated an intent to reduce her salary to $1 for next year as a symbolic gesture and the mayor said others had made similar offers). The manager and finance director reminded the public that the water fund is separate from the general fund and that capital replacement and water/wastewater projects are funded within that enterprise fund.

What happens next: Council closed the public hearing and will consider final adoption of the budget ordinance at the June 17 meeting. Staff said budget documents are public and available online or from the clerk’s office for review ahead of that vote.

Quotes:

"For those that successfully graduate the program, 96 percent, when they get out, they stay out," (program claim quoted in an earlier presentation) — Rob Whitner, Jumpstart presenter, who addressed council earlier in the meeting about a separate prison‑ministry program seeking volunteers.

(For budget details and line‑by‑line items, the city clerk and finance department provided the official proposed budget packet to council; the council will return June 17 for final action.)