Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Isanti staff propose modest 2026 tech increase, SCADA upgrade; council weighs parks staffing and paid-leave options
Summary
City staff told the council the 2026 technology capital plan will increase to $17,990 (fund 614) to cover missed devices and a planned SCADA upgrade; council also discussed parks coordinator turnover and staffing costs (~$70,000 wage, ~$110,000 total with benefits) and asked staff to study private versus state-run paid-leave options.
City staff outlined several technical and personnel budget adjustments at the Isanti City work session, asking the council to note updated capital needs and to consider personnel and benefits strategy ahead of the 2026 budget finalization.
Staff said a recent inventory identified computers and devices that were omitted from the prior replacement schedule, prompting an increase in Fund 614 capital expenditures to $17,990 for 2026 (previously $14,134). The city plans a SCADA system upgrade in early 2026; staff said a mobile monitoring component and an additional device shifted forward raised the estimated technology costs.
Council members also discussed turnover in the parks coordinator position and whether part-time staffing or additional assistance could reduce burnout. Staff said the full-time parks position is budgeted at about $70,000 in wages and around $110,000 when benefits and full compensation are included; members asked staff to explore options for year-round assistance or different hiring strategies, and to return with analysis.
On state-mandated paid leave, staff said preliminary private-plan quotes were being gathered and that private vendor options could lock contribution percentages for two-year terms and sometimes offer lower contribution rates than the state's program (referred to in-session as the "deed" program). Councilors asked staff to continue evaluating private vendors versus participating in the state program and to report back on the budget impact.
Next steps: staff will provide more detailed technology budget worksheets, SCADA cost estimates, parks staffing recommendations and a comparison of paid-leave options for council review before the final 2026 budget decisions.
