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Finance Director flags 22% health‑insurance increase, training and staffing changes in 2026 budget
Summary
Tom Reynolds told the committee a 22% jump in health-insurance premiums and modest staff training budgets (e.g., $5,000 for a new finance director, $3,000 for council training) are built into the proposed 2026 budget, and council members discussed affordability and consortium options.
Finance Director Tom Reynolds told the Finance Committee that the 2026 budget includes a 22% increase in health-insurance premiums, a change that significantly drives departmental cost pressure across the General Fund.
"A couple of big changes is the health insurance increase of 22%." Reynolds said, noting the city has budgeted training dollars for both incoming elected officials and department heads—$3,000 for council-member training and $5,000 set aside should a new finance director attend required courses.
Council members asked whether the city has explored insurance consortiums or other procurement options to blunt escalating costs. Reynolds said the city’s small pool and poor claims history make it a difficult candidate for larger consortiums but said staff should continue to evaluate options. "We are on an unsustainable projection with health insurance costs," he warned.
The committee also discussed the allocation of split salaries for positions such as the clerk and the mayor’s safety-director stipend; Reynolds agreed to list the safety-director pay separately in the next budget iteration.
