Weston trustees approve benefits renewal, 3% staff pay increase and $15,000 merit reserve
October 30, 2024 | Weston, Marathon County, Wisconsin
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The Village of Weston Board of Trustees on Oct. 21 approved staff compensation and a benefits renewal as part of the draft 2025 budget, moving the plan to public hearing ahead of final adoption.
Staff presented a budget that they described as balanced despite unusually large health insurance increases. "Tonight, we've, we are putting forth a balanced budget that does reflect the increase that we've been talking about in the benefits renewal," a staff member said while walking trustees through packet tables. The board heard that the health insurance renewal for the traditional plan is about a 23–24% increase over current rates, driven in part by high usage in the insurance co‑op and limited rate guarantees from alternative carriers.
Trustees pressed for dollar‑level clarity. Staff said the proposed 3% across‑the‑board wage adjustment equals about $77,000 and that a $15,000 merit/market reserve was included to help move newer employees to market rates. Officials also cited a budget‑to‑budget change in wages and benefits for the general fund of roughly $147,711. "We kept talking about the percentages, but ... with some employees change from family to employee spouse," staff said when explaining drivers behind the calculations.
After discussion, Trustee Corbin moved to approve the benefits renewal, the 3% compensation increases and the $15,000 merit/market reserve as presented. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also approved placing the 2025 budget public hearing notice in the Sunday paper and expects to return for final approval in November.
Why it matters: The package locks in recurring wage costs and commits the village to absorb a notably larger insurance renewal than recent years, shifting how much of next year’s levy and other revenue sources must cover personnel and benefit costs. Staff told trustees they used a mix of fund balance shifts and revenue adjustments to produce a balanced proposal without exceeding the allowable levy increase.
What’s next: The board will publish the public hearing notice and take public comment before a final vote on the 2025 budget at a future meeting.
Staff presented a budget that they described as balanced despite unusually large health insurance increases. "Tonight, we've, we are putting forth a balanced budget that does reflect the increase that we've been talking about in the benefits renewal," a staff member said while walking trustees through packet tables. The board heard that the health insurance renewal for the traditional plan is about a 23–24% increase over current rates, driven in part by high usage in the insurance co‑op and limited rate guarantees from alternative carriers.
Trustees pressed for dollar‑level clarity. Staff said the proposed 3% across‑the‑board wage adjustment equals about $77,000 and that a $15,000 merit/market reserve was included to help move newer employees to market rates. Officials also cited a budget‑to‑budget change in wages and benefits for the general fund of roughly $147,711. "We kept talking about the percentages, but ... with some employees change from family to employee spouse," staff said when explaining drivers behind the calculations.
After discussion, Trustee Corbin moved to approve the benefits renewal, the 3% compensation increases and the $15,000 merit/market reserve as presented. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also approved placing the 2025 budget public hearing notice in the Sunday paper and expects to return for final approval in November.
Why it matters: The package locks in recurring wage costs and commits the village to absorb a notably larger insurance renewal than recent years, shifting how much of next year’s levy and other revenue sources must cover personnel and benefit costs. Staff told trustees they used a mix of fund balance shifts and revenue adjustments to produce a balanced proposal without exceeding the allowable levy increase.
What’s next: The board will publish the public hearing notice and take public comment before a final vote on the 2025 budget at a future meeting.
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