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Finance outlines budget timeline, PERS/insurance pressure and revenue options
Summary
Finance staff presented the biennial budget calendar, warned of PERS and insurance cost increases and outlined revenue options to watch (repeal of the marijuana ban, operating levy, user fees, right‑of‑way/franchise changes) while recommending more analysis before any decisions.
Finance staff walked council through the biennial budget calendar and emphasized timeline milestones for department reviews, budget committee meetings and final June adoption. The presentation highlighted several cost pressures: PERS rate increases that materially raise personnel expense projections and expected higher medical/dental and insurance premiums.
City finance staff also listed revenue options council has discussed in the past—repealing the municipal marijuana ban (estimated low‑six‑figure annual net for city share), a local operating levy subject to voter approval, updates to master fees and potential right‑of‑way/franchise charges for utilities. Staff recommended further analysis of fee comparables, a review of performance measures and a conservative approach to using investment income. Council asked staff to return scenario modeling (rate impacts, levy amounts or fee schedules) aligned to the budget calendar so policy decisions can be taken before the budget committee meets.
