MARSHFIELD — Rising employee insurance costs, maintenance needs and a remaining $55,000 budget gap dominated discussion as the Marshfield Common Council continued reviewing the proposed 2027 city budget Oct. 19. The council also approved the city’s 2027–2031 capital improvement plan and authorized a $38,366 property tax levy adjustment related to the city’s response to a major March snowstorm. The operating budget remains under review, with additional meetings scheduled for Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. and, if needed, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. Insurance costs remain uncertain Staff said the proposed budget assumes an 8% increase in employee health insurance costs, but preliminary renewal information indicates the actual increase could be higher. The city’s insurance broker is seeking alternatives. Staff said some carriers declined to submit bids, while one response would represent an increase of approximately 17%. After several years of relatively flat health insurance costs, increased use of the plan is contributing to the higher projections, staff explained. Council members also requested an analysis of eliminating dental insurance and potentially providing additional money through employee health savings accounts. Staff agreed to examine costs, employee participation and potential complications before returning with more information. No decision to eliminate dental coverage was made. Holiday decorations discussed as possible savings With approximately $55,000 still to find in the recommended budget, council members discussed reducing spending on holiday decorations. Staff said the city spends approximately $30,000 to $35,000 annually installing, maintaining and removing Christmas decorations. Some ornaments along North Central Avenue are about 40 years old and require frequent electrical maintenance. Larger replacement ornaments cost approximately $500 to $600 each. A motion to reduce the budget for Christmas decorations by 15% was introduced but withdrawn after discussion. Members suggested considering the idea alongside other potential savings before making a decision. The council also identified a proposed $22,500 fairgrounds survey project for possible further consideration. Staff said the work would address property boundaries that do not align properly with existing buildings and could complicate future development. The proposed city expenditure represents half the project cost, with the county expected to cover the other half. Fire department adjusts requests The recommended budget calls for reductions of $40,000 in fire protection and $20,000 in fire prevention from the department’s requests. Fire Chief Miller said adjustments include deferring some building maintenance and pursuing other funding for equipment. The department plans to explore community fundraising or donations for ice rescue equipment. Miller said the growing number of detention basins makes preparing for rescues on ice an important concern. He also reported that a $5,100 Department of Natural Resources grant would help support wildland firefighting equipment. Sidewalk work shifts toward parking facilities Public works staff explained that several proposed budget changes reflect reallocating employee hours among work categories. The proposed sidewalk repair and maintenance budget would decrease by $28,000, while parking facilities spending would increase by $30,000. Staff said the shift would allow additional attention to parking lot repairs, including downtown needs. A council member raised concern about falling further behind on sidewalk maintenance. Staff clarified that the affected work involves sidewalks along city-owned properties and corner ramps. Capital plan approved The council approved the five-year capital improvement plan with staff revisions and the addition of a requested 2027 project at the university campus’s Laird building. Staff reported that a transportation grant of approximately $2.16 million for a planned Palmetto Avenue reconstruction project helped reduce projected borrowing needs. Other revisions included updated construction estimates, changes in funding sources and removal of four wastewater sewer replacement projects deemed less urgent. Council approves storm-related levy adjustment Staff reported that responding to the March snowstorm cost approximately $300,000. Of that amount, $127,886 qualified for emergency assistance, and the city received $89,520 in reimbursement. The council approved adding the remaining $38,366 eligible local share to the levy as a one-time adjustment to help replenish funds used for the response. Final budget figures remain dependent on several outstanding items, including insurance costs, debt payments and revenue estimates.