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Commission gives preliminary direction on general capital, civic center HVAC and 2.5% COLA option
Summary
City staff presented a proposed general capital program and budget overview, asked for direction on funding a $1 million shortfall to complete Civic Center HVAC work, and commissioners signaled preliminary support for a 2.5% COLA for employees.
City staff summarized proposed general capital requests, some contingency decisions and asked for commission direction ahead of the city‑manager budget presentation.
Staff reported the preliminary budget included an additional 0.875 FTE for a reserve officer in municipal court (police) and that, after adjusting how transfers to the affordable housing trust were treated, the city had about $479,000 available for discretionary decisions in the general fund.
Staff proposed a general capital list totaling roughly $2.28 million and said completing the Civic Center HVAC required an additional approximately $1 million beyond previously authorized amounts. Staff recommended funding the HVAC shortfall with $500,000 from general fund cash reserves and $500,000 from capital reserves, which would leave the general capital transfer request to the general fund at about $1.717 million.
Commissioners discussed whether tax increment financing (TIF) or other URA funds could help offset the Civic Center cost; staff said they would pursue grant or TIF possibilities but asked to budget the HVAC work in the event outside funds are not secured. Commissioners also reviewed community contribution requests (noting the Helena Area Community Foundation and the animal shelter requests) and gave preliminary direction to include routine community allocations and to consider a 6% increase for the animal shelter contribution (matching county discussion). Commissioners also discussed the compensation outlook and signaled support for a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for employees to align with state trends; a few commissioners preferred a 2.0% COLA but the majority favored 2.5% as staff prepared final budget numbers.
Staff said the preliminary budget will be presented at the city manager’s proposed budget meeting and remains subject to change before final adoption in late summer.
