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Committee backs FY27 BLW budget proposal, debates 4% COLA vs 1% bonus
Summary
Staff presented a proposed FY27 BLW budget totaling roughly $173.1 million with capital spending increased to $9.5 million after removing a $1.2 million trust transfer; the committee recommended forwarding the budget and discussed using a 1% bonus or 4% COLA to address pay concerns.
Staff presented a proposed FY27 budget for the BLW (Board of Light & Water) at the committee’s May 11 meeting, showing a proposed total around $173.1 million and a capital program increased to $9.5 million after removing a $1.2 million Bogle trust transfer.
"Last month I presented the preliminary FY '27 BLW budget ... the amount for last month was $173,125,144. It is the same budget amount for this month," Presenter/Staff member (S7) said, noting staff removed a $1,200,000 Bogle trust transfer and reallocated those funds to capital, increasing capital from $8.3 million to $9.5 million.
Committee members debated how to handle employee compensation. Chair (S1) proposed accelerating a 4% cost-of-living increase to July 1 so employees would receive part-year implementation in FY27. Committee member (S6) cautioned against using reserves for recurring raises and suggested a one-time bonus instead, noting a bonus would avoid compounding future salary obligations.
Staff and members provided ballpark figures during the discussion: one presenter estimated the BLW payroll at about $13,000,000, which led to committee calculations placing a full-year 4% increase near $520,000–$550,000 and a 1% increase closer to $130,000–$300,000 depending on implementation timing and whether the increase is prorated. Committee members used a $312,000 placeholder figure during budget negotiations to represent a bonus or partial-year increase to be worked out by staff.
Committee member (S3) made a motion to forward recommendations to the full board and council; the committee voted to approve the budget as submitted with the $312,000 item to be finalized by staff and presented to the full board that afternoon. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will finalize exact dollar amounts for the bonus/raise and identify funding sources (reserves or other) before the full board presentation; the committee’s report will be presented to the full board for formal adoption and transmission to the city council.
