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City budget flags personnel upgrades and projected health‑care jump
Summary
Staff proposed three position upgrades totaling about $89,000 and described a 2.6% general salary adjustment plus employer cost increases; the presenter said the city is "projecting a 15% increase this year" in health‑care costs.
During the budget workshop staff itemized personnel changes and employer cost pressures. The Presenter said three planned position upgrades (accounting/finance, stormwater and code enforcement) are included in the general fund and estimated to total about $89,000 for salaries and employer taxes. In addition to position upgrades, staff proposed a merit and market adjustment framework and a 2.6% salary adjustment tied to CPI through May.
Benefits costs were a particular concern. "We're projecting a 15% increase this year," the Presenter said when summarizing the health‑care outlook and referenced industry guidance that averages around 11%. Staff told council their last usage rate was about 134%, meaning historically the plan paid out $1.34 for every dollar contributed, and warned that the plan could exceed vendor averages. Council members asked how those increases were allocated across funds and whether deductibles or coverage changes might be considered if the projected premium increase materializes.
