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Council schedules budget workshop; finance flags audit delays and 2026 benefit cost increases
Summary
Council set a budget workshop for 11:30 a.m. to resolve remaining 2026 amended budget items, discussed delayed 2024 audit work (missing grant information) and previewed health‑plan renewals (MVP ~9.12%/PPO 14.9%, Anthem MAP 5%) and administrative savings from appointed‑employee salary adjustments.
The City Council scheduled a budget workshop for 11:30 a.m. to address remaining items in the 2026 amended budget and previewed several finance actions that will come before the council at Tuesday’s meeting.
The finance commissioner told the council the auditors (BSD) have issued draft 2024 financial statements but that finalization is delayed because departments outside finance have not provided grant documentation required to complete the single audit. “We have received the draft 2024 financial statements from the auditors. We are reviewing them right now, and we will provide the final statements to the council as soon as we get them,” the finance official said, and recommended training for non‑finance staff ahead of the 2026 audit process.
The mayor previewed votes on several benefits renewals: the 2026 rate renewals for MVP and Anthem. The increases were described in the meeting as approximately 9.12% for MVP (HMO), 14.9% for MVP PPO, and 5% for Anthem MAP; Guardian dental showed no increase for 2026. Council members expressed concern about annual double‑digit increases and asked that contract negotiations factor in cost‑sharing with employees.
The council also previewed changes to the appointed employees resolution that would lower starting salaries for deputies and executive assistants, producing estimated savings of $22,000–$29,000 depending on future hires. Other finance items slated for Tuesday include using reserve funds for snow and ice removal, consolidating capital reserve funds, replenishing the reserve for bonded indebtedness, and several budget transfer votes. An invoice for professional services to Walt Schwartz LLP for $469.55 was also listed as a discussion item.
Next steps: the council will revisit these items at the 11:30 a.m. budget workshop and at Tuesday’s meeting, where votes on rate renewals, the appointed‑employee resolution and reserve transfers are expected to be considered.
