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Commission weighs 4% COLA and uncertain health‑insurance spike in preliminary budget
Summary
Staff explained each percentage point of a 4% COLA costs about $42,000 and said a 10% health-insurance premium increase is currently modeled; commissioners asked staff to return with incremental scenarios and emphasized the preliminary nature of the figures ahead of final October numbers.
City staff presented the preliminary general-fund picture and framed the choices facing the commission, stressing uncertainty in health‑insurance rates and the tradeoffs of a 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
"Every percentage point of towards the the cost of living is about $42,000," staff said while explaining that the packet currently includes a 4% COLA; staff added a 10% increase for health‑insurance premiums in the working projection but cautioned final insurer numbers typically arrive in August–October.
Staff reported a working preliminary general-fund number in the packet of $441,296 and said the preliminary budget can be adjusted downward before final adoption. Commissioners asked staff to provide incremental scenarios showing the fiscal impact of 4%→3%→2%→1% or a fixed lump-sum payment per employee, and asked staff to model what a $100 lump-sum would do to the budget.
Commission discussion emphasized the difficulty of balancing employee retention concerns (particularly in utilities, sanitation and public works) against limited revenues, and commissioners asked for scenario modeling at the next special meeting so the commission can set a public hearing and meet county filing deadlines.
