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City staff emphasize retention in 2027 budget: 2% step, 2% COLA and higher health contribution proposed
Summary
Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser told commissioners the proposed 2027 budget focuses on employee retention and stability with a standard 2% step increase and a 2% COLA, and raises the City's health insurance contribution from $11,000 to $12,500 per employee.
Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser led a comprehensive review of the proposed 2027 budget at the July 16 work session, describing it as focused on employee retention and operational stability. Bielser said the budget programs a standard 2% step increase and a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for City employees.
Bielser also proposed increasing the City's health insurance budget contribution from $11,000 to $12,500 per employee; the contribution level has remained unchanged since 2019, he said. Those adjustments were described as measures to alleviate premium increases previously absorbed fully by staff.
Bielser noted that to maintain the statutory Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) the City would be required to reduce $131,081 from levy funds, even though the City is requesting an additional $25,810 from the 2026 base. He also said the proposed 2027 mill levy itself is lower than the 2026 levy. No formal adoption of the budget occurred at the work session; the discussion was described as a staff-led review and commissioners asked questions and discussed options.
