Finance presents general fund summary: $91.7 million appropriation and compensation updates

Finance Director Byron Matthews walked council through the general fund summary pages in the proposed budget book, reiterating material presented at prior budget meetings and highlighting totals and trends.

Staff presented a proposed general fund appropriation of $91,727,400 and said the proposed population figure for FY2026 is 57,254, which yields an estimated general fund expenditure per capita of $1,602 and tax revenue per capita of $761. The budget book shows 10‑year trends for revenues and expenditures, assessed value growth with an estimated taxable assessed value of roughly $9.1 billion, and a proposed total of 455 full‑time equivalents across all funds.

Compensation notes in the budget book indicate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.3% for civilian employees and 2% for police officers; council was told police step increases are 3.25% per step. Councilman Bridal asked when the city last conducted a salary survey and how frequently they occur; staff said the most recent survey was about 2.5 years ago and that a five‑year cadence is standard.

Finance also reviewed revenue sources and functions of expenditure (public safety, public works, parks, culture and recreation, etc.) and described efforts to minimize general fund impacts by using reserves and transfers from other funds when possible. Matthews said the department will continue to provide detailed appendices — including FTE counts, compensation plans and principal taxpayers — in the budget book.

Ending: The council received an overview of the proposed $91.7 million general fund budget, population and per-capita figures, compensation adjustments, and an explanation of materials in the budget appendices; council asked staff to continue clarifying reserve and budget roll‑forward information in future presentations.