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Council receives 2025 year-end financial review and approves 2027 budget calendar
Summary
Finance Director Jennifer Solinski reported a roughly $1.1 million increase in the general fund balance for 2025 and reviewed fund-by-fund results; the council approved the proposed 2027 budget calendar and passed a continuing appropriations resolution.
Finance Director Jennifer Solinski presented a 2025 year-end financial review at the June 23 Marshfield common council meeting, reporting a preliminary increase in the general fund balance of about $1.1 million driven by higher-than-expected revenues (property taxes, interest earnings) and underspending in wages and supplies. Solinski cautioned that the audit is in final review and numbers are nearly final.
Key points she highlighted include: a favorable variance in property tax collections and interest revenue, an improved general fund balance that ended 2025 at about 33% of budgeted expenditures (above the city's 25–30% policy), and continued healthy proprietary funds (wastewater reported a net position just under $73 million and EMS had improved to an unrestricted net position just under $2 million). Solinski also reviewed special revenue and TIF funds, noting a communications fund in decline and a TIF district with a negative balance that staff will watch.
Earlier in the meeting the council approved budget resolution 16-2026 to carry forward committed fund balance items (including an in-process software implementation item of $36,257); Solinski explained contingency categories (ERIP contingency and operational contingency) and detailed options and safeguards if contingency balances are used.
City Administrator Steve Barr then presented a proposed 2027 budget calendar (delivery of the proposed budget Oct. 8, public hearing and adoption Nov. 24) and the council voted to approve the calendar. Barr said staff will bring a mid-summer framework and periodic updates as departments provide numbers.
Next steps: Audit completion may adjust year-end numbers slightly; staff will present the 2027 budget framework in July and follow the approved calendar for hearings and adoption in November.
