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Maplewood staff outline 2026 budget priorities; propose 3% wage adjustment, new shared data-analyst role
Summary
City staff presented administrative, finance and communications highlights for the 2026 budget on Oct. 13, flagging a proposed 3% wage adjustment (roughly $79,000), a shared data-analyst position (~$51,000) with the fire department, and increases in professional services and internal IT charges.
City staff presented portions of the proposed 2026 budget to the Maplewood City Council on Oct. 13, emphasizing administrative priorities, staffing changes and planned investments in financial transparency and communications.
City Manager Mr. Sabol told the council the presentation follows a longer budget process and is intended to give councilmembers and residents additional detail before final decisions in December. He said staff will tailor future presentations to answer council questions.
An administrative presenter summarized proposed personnel and budget highlights: "In 2026, we're looking at a 3% wage adjustment that totals roughly $79,000," the presenter said, and added that the city planned to add a shared data analyst position with the fire department estimated at about $51,000.
The finance presenter described the department's workload and fiscal position and said the department calculated a median household property tax impact of about $142.50 per month. The presenter said finance constitutes about 3.57% of the general fund and cited the 10-year financial management plan and a GFOA budget award as recent accomplishments.
Joe Sheeran, communications manager, described expanded outreach and Maplewood Living, including plans to expand the publication to 12 pages periodically and a planned web refresh. Sheeran said staff have increased translation services and used in-person event surveys to learn the community draws residents from nearby cities.
Staff identified major budget drivers as wages, professional services (audit, actuarial, consulting), supplies and internal IT charges; the presenter said internal charges rose because an IT staff position was moved from the police budget to the general city budget.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about community surveys and the timing for future department presentations. Staff said the fire department will be the principal presentation on Oct. 27 and YMCA representatives are scheduled for Nov. 10.
