Williams budget preview: 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment proposed, staff to provide updated budget documents

Finance Director Barbara Bell presented budget highlights at the council’s June 1 work session, describing adjustments necessary to address rising property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Bell said the tentative budget includes funding for a new ADA‑compliant city website and a comprehensive employee compensation study.

The staff proposal includes a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, which staff estimated at approximately $0.79 per hour per pay‑grade step. Councilmembers requested updated information on cash reserves, investments and employee counts by department and asked staff to provide revised budget documents that clearly identify changes before the next meeting.

Bell reminded the council that the tentative budget sets the city’s maximum spending authority for the fiscal year and that the final budget must be adopted by the third Monday in July. Staff will distribute updated materials prior to the next meeting so council members can review changes before any final vote.

During the session, council adopted the meeting agenda by a unanimous procedural vote (mover: Councilmember Kennelly; second: Councilmember Payne). No formal votes on the tentative budget occurred at the June 1 work session; council discussion focused on priorities, clarifications and further information requests.