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Budget consultant outlines 2026 draft, recommends COLA and adds park superintendent
Summary
OW Cronin Associates presented the city’s draft 2026 budget, explaining DLGF timing, revenue assumptions (4% max levy, ~33% circuit breaker loss), a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment, and a new park superintendent position; council requested the detailed Form 1 line‑item budget for review.
Michelle Davis, a consultant with OW Cronin Associates, presented the City of Linton’s draft 2026 budget and explained the state review timeline and key revenue assumptions.
Davis said the state reviewer uses an 18‑month window beginning 6/30/25, the council must provide a 10‑day notice before a hearing, and that municipal budgets must be adopted by Nov. 1. “Budgets have to be adopted by November 1st,” she said.
She outlined revenue drivers: property tax (the state allows a max levy increase of 4% in the example she presented), local income tax and miscellaneous fees. Davis noted circuit breaker losses reduce collectible property tax revenue; she estimated a 33% circuit breaker rate in Linton that lowers the net benefit of a full 4% levy increase.
Davis described departmental changes included in the draft: a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment across personnel lines (final salary changes would require a separate ordinance), adjustments to clerk/treasurer allocations, no proposed change shown for the police department’s base salaries, and pending contract negotiations affecting the fire department. She also said the draft creates a park superintendent position funded across parks, pool and golf course funds.
On cash flow, Davis presented a pro forma that starts with fund balances as of 6/30/25, estimates second‑half property tax receipts and other revenues, and projects 2026 fund balances. She said the presenters estimate a roughly $164,000 aggregate increase across budgeted funds from 2025 to 2026.
Council members said they had not received the detailed Form 1 line‑item budget and requested printed or emailed copies before any adoption vote so they could compare line items. Staff agreed to distribute the line‑item Form 1 and related figures promptly. There was no vote on the budget at this meeting; the council was reminded that adoption is required by statute no later than Nov. 1.
