Council advances personnel, fee and capital plan items; retail water, sewer rates proposed

The Wyoming City Council on March 10 reviewed key budget drivers for fiscal 2026, including personnel assumptions, fee schedule changes, a proposed capital improvement plan and proposed retail water and sewer rate increases.

Staff said council decisions at the work session are needed to finalize a draft budget to be circulated at the end of next week and to shape the operating budget presented in April and adopted in May. "We're busy compiling all their operating budgets, which are the last piece of it," said Jody, staff member, as the presentation opened.

The personnel plan and fleet staffing: Staff explained the city builds personnel costs from currently approved positions, contract increases, employer taxes and assumed full family benefits at top pay steps for vacant positions. The only personnel change requested for 2026 was converting a 0.5 full-time-equivalent position in Motor Pool/Fleet Services to a full 1.0 FTE senior technician. That change, staff said, would allow the city to reduce outsourced vehicle repairs, restore the fleet shop to four full-time technicians and still leave Motor Pool's projected fiscal 2026 budget about $120,000 below fiscal…