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Monona committee reviews 2026 operating budgets as health insurance, sewer and EMS costs rise
Summary
City department heads briefed the Committee of the Whole on draft 2026 operating budgets, citing higher health‑insurance costs, an anticipated ~$95,000 jump in MMSD sewer charges, and increased EMS revenues that will cover higher supply and service contract costs. Council set first‑read timing for budget amendments.
Mayor Moore convened the Monona Committee of the Whole on Thursday to review department operating budgets for 2026, hear line‑item explanations from department heads and schedule the first budget reading before the full council.
Senior‑services director Diane told the council the "biggest change" in the senior center budget is that "health insurance is up," and she flagged a rise in demand for the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) medical‑ride coordination service: "we were in, like, the 100‑ish rides in 2024. Already in 2025, we're at, like, 222." Diane said the city pays for coordination and limited mileage reimbursement and confirmed there is no set charge to users, though donations are accepted.
Leah, Monona's IT director, said the IT budget reflects a roughly 6% increase driven by consolidating software licenses previously paid by other departments into IT — including the new agenda management and social…
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