Jasper City Council delays 2026 budget and levy decision after debate over insurance, cameras and capital costs

The Jasper City Council on Nov. 20 postponed final approval of the 2026 budget and the city’s levy after an extended review of insurance increases, a recently signed camera contract and several capital requests.

Mayor Kim Lape opened the meeting and asked departments to identify items that should be added to the proposed budget, which she said started from a preliminary figure of 15 percent. Building and grounds supervisor Kevin Gum told the council the public works skid steer may need replacement (Clerk-Treasurer Renae Thode estimated about $60,000) and that the plow truck’s bed is rusted with large holes; Gum said replacement would be about $70,000.

“[The plow truck] will keep getting worse,” Gum said, describing the vehicle as likely originating from the 1980s. Council members later agreed to move the plow truck replacement to 2027 to ease the immediate budget impact.

Kim Drew, speaking for the ambulance service, said the ambulance completed licensure for the year and is licensed through 2027; she said capital equipment needs are minimal now but noted a heart monitor may require replacement in about four years and that she typically seeks a grant to cover such purchases.

Clerk-Treasurer Renae Thode told the council that Convergint had already invoiced the city and should be charged to 2025 rather than 2026, and she described a $30,000 remaining Bollig contract balance that, according to the city’s arrangement, would not be billed until outside funding is secured; there is also a $5,000 annual fee for Bollig’s grant-search services.

Health insurance emerged as a major pressure point. Thode reported the carrier told the city premiums rose about 12.4 percent over the prior year; councilors discussed options including employee cost-sharing and HSA accounts. Former clerk Trinidad Garcia said the prior proposed levy work had showed a 10.32 percent figure when she left the project and warned that continued draws on Money Market reserves reduce long-term flexibility.

The council also debated a signed camera contract. Lape said the city had signed the agreement; Garcia urged that additional bids should have been pursued and said the council had previously rejected a $10,000 bid from Midwest Alarm. “Spending $40,000 on cameras was not in the best interest of the city,” Garcia said. Councilor Tim Houg countered the current price was about $11,000 lower than an earlier estimate.

Facing unresolved questions about insurance, camera procurement and how to fund capital needs, Lape moved to table the Budget Review and Levy Review and schedule another meeting. The council set a follow-up budget meeting for Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. (motion by Councilor Stacie Smith; second by Councilor Deb Plahn).

Plahn later moved to adjourn, Tim Houg seconded, and the council voted all ayes to end the meeting at 7:17 p.m.

Next steps: the council will revisit the budget and levy at the Dec. 3 budget meeting; specific decisions about the camera contract, insurance cost-sharing and any uses of the Money Market reserves remain open pending additional information and quotes.