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Council weighs staff pay and health-benefit changes in draft budget
Summary
Council discussed non-aligned employee increases, unsettled contracts, health-insurance savings of about $180,000 from benefit changes, and concerns about step increases in union contracts driving costs.
Council members questioned the budget's treatment of employee compensation and benefits as staff presented the draft numbers.
CFO Stollenwerk said switching health benefits produced roughly $180,000 in savings compared with remaining with the State plan; she recommended holding non-aligned employees at a 4% increase. Councilman Polistina urged review of all contracts, saying step increases layered on top of percentage raises were driving personnel costs, and noted non-aligned employees are not on step programs so a flat percentage was equitable.
Council also heard that several union contracts remain unsettled; Stollenwerk reminded members that adding employees or new positions in this budget year would require offsetting cuts because most of the budget pressure arises from staffing. Council discussion included possible part-time positions to manage costs, but CFO Stollenwerk said any additions would need to be funded.
