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Council members debate separating personnel hires from proposed 2026 budget
Summary
At the Oct. 28 meeting, Councilmember Tim Humphries requested splitting personnel hiring from Ordinance 17-25 (the 2026 budget) into separate votes; City Manager Chris Lohr and Finance Director Kristina Cooper defended including new positions for operations and Strategic Plan projects. No final vote occurred; the third reading is scheduled for Nov. 12.
Councilmember Tim Humphries asked council on Oct. 28 to consider separating the personnel and hiring elements from the proposed 2026 budget (Ordinance 17-25) so the hires could be voted on separately.
City Manager Chris Lohr and Finance Director Kristina Cooper said the budget incorporates staffing additions recommended by the city’s Strategic Plan — one position in the Service Department and two administrative roles — to meet day-to-day needs and support larger projects. "We feel these are necessary to meet day-to-day operational needs, as well as the bigger projects in the Strategic Plan," Lohr said.
Mayor Randy Winkler and Councilmember Debbie Kemper said they preferred keeping the budget and personnel items together, noting that the Finance Committee has reviewed the proposal. "We hired Mr. Lohr to hire staff," the mayor said, adding he trusts staff recommendations. Humphries said he would likely vote 'no' on the final reading unless the items were separated; no motion to split the vote was made at the meeting. Council added $30,000 into the budget for sidewalk connectivity, Lohr said.
The ordinance was on its second reading; the third and final reading is scheduled for Nov. 12, when Council can vote on the full appropriation ordinance.
