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Long Prairie council keeps preliminary 2026 budget after reviewing insurance, state paid-leave and labor impacts
Summary
At an Nov. 19 work session, Long Prairie city staff reviewed 2026 insurance renewals, Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave contribution rates (employers and employees each 0.44%), and the fiscal impact of ongoing labor negotiations; the council directed that the preliminary budget be carried forward as the final recommendation for adoption.
The Long Prairie City Council met in a work session at City Hall on Nov. 19, 2025, and after reviewing insurance renewals, the state Paid Family and Medical Leave program, and labor negotiation impacts, directed staff to carry the preliminary 2026 budget forward as the final recommendation for adoption.
City staff presented a comprehensive review of proposed 2026 insurance rates and renewal options, detailing projected premium adjustments, proposed plan changes, and potential employee cost-share consequences for the coming year. Staff described how different renewal scenarios would affect departmental personnel costs and benefit budgets.
Staff also summarized Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program and its payroll mechanics, noting the contribution split required by statute: employers remit 0.44% of wages and employees remit 0.44% of wages. City staff and council members discussed integrating those contributions into payroll processes and departmental budgets and noted the program would be an additional recurring cost when leave claims are paid.
On labor matters, staff reviewed slides showing the fiscal impacts of ongoing union negotiations, including projected wage adjustments and benefit-cost forecasts across departments. Staff said each department had been reviewed as part of negotiations and budget planning to ensure consistency and long-term financial sustainability.
Following the presentations and discussion, staff confirmed the preliminary 2026 budget would remain unchanged and be carried forward as the city’s final budget recommendation for adoption. The transcript does not record a separate formal roll-call vote to adopt the budget during this work session.
Procedural actions during the work session included an initial motion to approve the agenda, moved by Council Member Lilah Gripne and seconded by Mayor Jim Kreemer, which passed unanimously. Council Member Gripne later moved to adjourn; Council Member JoAnn Schroeder seconded and the meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
Attending were Mayor Jim Kreemer; Council Members Lilah Gripne and JoAnn Schroeder; City Administrator/Clerk Candace Bruder; Finance Officer/Clerk Callaway Neumann; and Police Chief Ryan Hanson. Absent were Council Members Gabrier Perez and Clint Krueger.
