October 16, 2025 · 6:00 PM

Personnel and Finance Committee

The committee got its first full look at proposed 2026 budgets for parks/recreation and general government, plus a draft plan to borrow about $2.48 million for capital projects. No votes were recorded—this was a long, numbers-heavy work session setting up the bigger budget decisions ahead.

Key Decisions

Staff walked through a 2026 borrowing plan totaling $2,479,000 for capital projects, including major park work at Riverside Park (skate park and other improvements) that relies heavily on grants and fundraising alongside city borrowing.

Parks & Recreation budgets were presented with notable increases: Health/Human Services up $23,735 (5.57%) and Culture/Recreation/Education up $89,438 (6.28%), plus several special funds planning to use fund balance in 2026.

General Government spending is proposed to drop by $10,536 (0.79%), largely because the city expects to pay $120,700 less for insurance after switching carriers—savings residents will want to see verified once final bills come in.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

Presentation of Proposed Parks and Recreation Budgets

The committee reviewed proposed 2026 budgets covering the Senior Center, cemeteries, parks, recreation, special events, and related special revenue funds. Several funds are set up to spend down reserves (for example, the Senior Center Fund is projected to use $4,000 of fund balance and the Special Events Donation Fund $7,000), which can be fine short-term but is worth tracking if it becomes the default way to balance budgets. The Concessions Fund is budgeted to net $11,215 and send that money to Special Events.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

Presentation of Proposed General Government Budget

Finance staff presented the proposed 2026 General Government budget across core city functions (council, clerk/HR, elections, technology, finance, city hall, and insurance). Total spending is proposed to decrease slightly from 2025, and the big driver is a projected $120,700 drop in insurance costs due to changing carriers. That kind of savings can be real, but residents should expect follow-up on whether coverage changed and whether the savings hold once the year is underway.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

general government budget Full history →

Presentation of 2026 General Obligation Borrowing Plan for Capital Projects

The committee reviewed the 2026 capital plan proposed to be financed through general obligation borrowing, totaling $2,479,000. Parks staff highlighted Riverside Park improvements (including the skate park) with $324,550 in city borrowing and $574,500 expected from grants and fundraising, while Public Works reviewed street projects and equipment requests. This is the kind of plan where the details matter later—especially what happens if grant/fundraising targets don’t come through and whether projects get delayed, resized, or shifted onto taxpayers.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

2026 capital projects plan Full history →

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