Mount Pleasant Commission approves 2025 budget amendment, maintains $7 million unassigned balance

The Mount Pleasant City Commission on Dec. 8 approved a final amendment to the fiscal year 2025 operating budget that includes a transfer from the general fund to support the city's self-funded health insurance plan.

Manager Desentz and staff briefed commissioners that, despite rising health insurance costs, the city expects to finish the year with an unassigned general fund balance of more than $7,000,000, which Desentz said represents about 39% of average annual expenses. Desentz also said street funds will increase to support future reconstruction projects and that the EEC program will use approximately $168,000 in fund balance and has sufficient reserves to operate for about two years under current assumptions.

Vice Mayor Eke asked whether a tribal contribution that had been expected for the EEC program affected the recommended budget; staff said the tribe supplied roughly 60% of the amount the city had requested, and the shortfall required modest additional general-fund support. Finance Director Pat Wachowski was on hand to answer technical questions.

Commissioner Bush moved to accept the recommended changes and the commission voted to approve the amendment. Mayor Wingard called the motion passed.

The commission's action was procedural: staff presented a final amendment to reflect actual revenues and expenditures and to address near-term program funding needs. No additional formal directions to staff were recorded during the vote. The commission also approved several consent items during the same meeting, including a contract award to 3 Rivers Corporation for $50,337 to replace an oil separator at the Department of Public Safety building and authorization for payroll issuance dates (details in the consent packet).

The amendment takes effect immediately; staff said they will continue to monitor insurance and program funding and return with further recommendations if needed.