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Council discusses FY2026 budget, proposed 401(k) match and social‑media staffing
Summary
Administrator Scott Darrington previewed the FY2026 budget (tentative adoption May 6) and proposed a 2% 401(k) match, a promotion of a part‑time events/social‑media role (adding ~10 hours; estimated $60,000/year with benefits), custodial bid review, and modest utility adjustments; council requested job descriptions and a matrix before April 22.
City Administrator Scott Darrington told the council the intent is to adopt a tentative FY2026 budget on May 6 and to finalize the budget at the second June meeting. He said sales and property tax estimates edged up slightly and reviewed recommended allocation changes, including moving Cultural Arts spending from the General Fund to the CARE Tax and an Administration allocation increase of roughly $121,000 charged to Enterprise Funds.
On personnel, Darrington outlined a proposed 5.05% increase to wages, the conversion of a part‑time Social Events/Social Media role to include an additional 10 hours per week, and a proposal to introduce a 2% 401(k) employer match. He told the council the current cost estimate for adding hours to the special events position is approximately $60,000 per year — a figure that reflects benefits — and that the current hourly equivalent calculated was about $115/hour for the 10 hours. "If the Social Media position is funded it has to be opened," he said, adding staff would prepare a matrix and formal job descriptions for the April 22 meeting.
Council members pressed for clarity. Council Member Steve Rogers requested written job descriptions for the existing in‑house work and the proposed position and asked staff to provide alternatives (contractors or multiple part‑time hires) for cost comparison. Council Member Todd Williams urged attention to resident affordability, particularly for seniors, while Council Member Eric Jensen questioned whether the city needed a full‑time position for social media. Darrington committed to bringing a matrix of costs, a custodial estimate, and plan details to the next meeting.
The budget discussion also addressed utility and waste rates: Darrington reported Pleasant Grove's Republic Services contract price per can is $7.08 compared with a peer average of $8.82 and recommended staying with Republic after negotiating lower rate adjustments for garbage/recycling. The council asked staff to provide operational vs. capital breakdowns and to explore deferment options to reduce near‑term rate pressure on residents.
