Monona finance report projects roughly $300,000 surplus as insurance and IT pressures rise

The City of Monona Finance and Personnel Committee heard an update on the municipality's monthly financials on Sept. 8, 2026, during which staff said the General Fund is "projected to probably to be about $300,000 ahead at the end of the year." The presenter also warned of several budget pressures that will affect the upcoming 2027 operating budget.

The financial report showed most revenues tracking near projections, with specific areas of concern including a recent spike in workers' compensation costs and higher-than-expected data-processing support expenses. "Our workers comp insurance came in $70,000 higher than what we budgeted for this year," the staff presenter said, and added the new insurance number received that day was "over 200,000" with the experience-mod factor as high as 1.48. The committee was told those changes will need to be addressed in next year's budget planning.

Committee members asked follow-up questions but did not take any new formal action on taxes or fees at the meeting. The committee approved the Aug. 17, 2026 minutes and later approved the accounts-payable bills by voice vote; no member requested further study on the general-fund projection at this session.