9.10.26 Finance Committee — Minutes

City of Fort Atkinson City Manager's Office 101 N. Main Street Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING IN PERSON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 – 5:00 PM CITY HALL – SECOND FLOOR MINUTES 1. Call meeting to order President Jaeckel called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 2. Roll call Present: Cm. Huckabee, Cm. Lescohier and President Jaeckel. Also present: City Manager, City Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director, Director of Public Works, Director of Neighborhood Services and Park & Recreation Director. 3. Public Comment a. The Finance Committee will receive public comments relating to matters on the agenda. Speakers must be City residents, property owners, or business representatives. Comments are generally limited to three minutes per individual. Anyone wishing to speak is required to sign up in advance or state the following items for the record when called upon: name, address, subject matter, and contact information. None. 4. New Business a. Review and possible recommendation to the City Council relating to the draft 2027 Schedule of Fees (Houseman, City Manager) Lescohier moved, seconded by Huckabee to recommend the City Council approve the 2027 Schedule of Fees. Motion carried. b. Review and possible action relating to the City's Compensation Philosophy, an Appendix to the Employee Handbook (Houseman, City Manager) Huckabee moved, seconded by Lescohier to approve the City's Compensation Philosophy, an Appendix to the Employee Handbook. Motion carried. c. Review and possible action relating to a requested Cost of Living Adjustment to be included in the 2027 budget for full-time non-represented City employees (Houseman, City Manager) Huckabee moved, seconded by Lescohier to approve the requested 2% COLA for full-time non-represented employees to be included in the 2027 budget. Motion carried. d. Review and possible action relating to requested wage adjustments to be included in the 2027 budget for part-time and seasonal City staff (Houseman, City Manager) Lescohier moved, seconded by Huckabee to approve the wage adjustments to be included in the 2027 budget for part-time and seasonal City staff to be included in the 2027 budget. Motion carried. 5. Adjournment Huckabee moved, seconded by Lescohier to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:03 pm. Respectfully submitted Michelle Ebbert City Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director City of Fort Atkinson City Manager's Office 101 N. Main Street Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 MEMORANDUM DATE: September 10, 2026 TO: Committee/Commission/Board FROM: Rebecca Houseman, City Manager RE: Review and possible action relating to a requested Cost of Living Adjustment to be included in the 2027 budget for full-time non-represented City employees (Houseman, City Manager) BACKGROUND Annually at the September Finance Committee meeting, staff presents a proposed Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, to be included in the following year's operating budget. In 2027, staff is proposing a 2% COLA. DISCUSSION Due to the proposed changes in the compensation philosophy based on the Classification and Compensation Report (2025) and the Performance Management Program (2026), staff is proposing a nominal cost of living adjustment in 2027 of 2% for full-time non-represented employees. Additional increases are available for employees who are between the minimum and the midpoint of the pay range (systematic) and those between the midpoint and the maximum of the pay range (merit). Whitewater, Jefferson County, and Johnson Creek are all proposing a 3% COLA for 2027. Per the approved contract, WPPA Police Union members will receive a 4% increase in hourly wages. Per the approved contract with FF Local 580, Fire Union members will receive a 4% increase in hourly wages. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS If the requested COLA is approved by the Finance Committee, it will be incorporated into the 2027 operating budget document. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Finance Committee approve the requested 2% COLA for full-time non-represented employees. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2027 Pay Grades and Ranges