TWC announced statutory adjustments to unemployment insurance weekly benefits based on the 2025 average weekly wage: minimum increases to $76 and maximum increases to $619 per week, applied to initial claims filed on or after Oct. 4, 2026.

Finance staff presented a modeled general-fund increase of $230,410 (about 9.88%), driven by replacing fund-balance uses and salary-step changes. Council discussed a $5,000 equipment-fund transfer reduction (about $3 per average-valued home) and debated whether step changes should wait until 2027 or proceed now to retain staff.

The committee debated whether the 3% (now budgeted as 4% residency incentive) should be applied retroactively to pay period 1 or implemented prospectively because payroll staffing and a Workday transition limit the city’s ability to process retroactive entries; the city attorney advised ordinance text applies to all general city employees and that ambiguity raises legal risk. The committee advanced the substitute salary ordinance to council by roll call.

Council voted to post the proposed FY27 classification and compensation plan after the mayor outlined targeted regrades and a 3% nonunion increase, police/fire contractual increases, and a recommended hourly rise for van drivers to $19 to retain staff. Finance recommended the changes; council will publish the plan as a municipal bulletin.