Archer Lodge council signals staffing cuts, 401(k) compromise as it revises FY2026‑27 budget

The Town of Archer Lodge Town Council met June 8 in Jeffrey D. Barnes Council Chambers to continue work on the draft fiscal year 2026‑27 budget and directed staff to return a revised proposal for formal adoption.

Council members discussed department‑level changes after staff presented the recommended budget and explained how to read the packet. Multiple members pressed for reductions in personnel and benefit costs. Councilman Brutin proposed removing two part‑time positions, identified during the meeting as a one‑day‑per‑week executive assistant and a part‑time human‑resources officer. After discussion, the council signaled consensus to eliminate the one‑day executive‑assistant post while retaining the HR officer position (with possible adjustments to hours), and instructed staff to prepare revised line items reflecting that change.

Several members also sought changes to employee benefits. The council coalesced around a compromise on the town’s 401(k) contribution: members signaled support for a 5% employer contribution, down from 6% in the draft and up from a proposed 4% by one council member. “If you know that you’re going to get 4% … that helps,” one member said in debate; ultimately the council favored the 5% midpoint as a worker protection while trimming costs.

Staff and council also discussed training and meetings budgets, duplication in small‑equipment line items (a fireproof cabinet appeared twice in the draft and has been corrected), and a vendor quote to scan personnel records that included an annual portal fee staff said would be “$20,000–$25,000” for a full portal — a cost council rejected in favor of lower‑cost file‑cabinet and limited scanning options.

Finance staff told the council the town’s recently approved audit contract is $26,500 — $6,500 above the $20,000 figure in the draft — and asked for permission to move the additional amount into professional services. Council members also sought clearer line‑item rounding and asked staff to verify several water/tap and monthly charges that appeared to have increased between the April draft and the recommended document.

Next steps: staff will prepare a revised budget that incorporates the council’s direction (eliminate the one‑day executive assistant; retain the HR officer with potential hour adjustments; set a 5% 401(k) contribution; correct duplicated equipment entries; and add the audit contract increase). The council discussed reviewing the revised document at a work session on June 15 and returning for a final vote the week of June 22, subject to county filing deadlines.