Wylie staff outline FY2027 budget changes including 12% health‑insurance increase

City staff briefed the council on FY2027 budget updates on July 14, noting a 12% increase in health insurance costs and a proposed 3% average merit step for employees.

Staff said they added $100,000 to street budgets, bringing the annual street allocation to $1.1 million, and listed equipment and capital needs that may use fund balance, including server‑room cooling upgrades, in‑car camera replacement, hydraulic rescue tools and SCBA replacement for the fire department, and purchase of a new ambulance. Staff also said the city did not receive a drone first‑responder grant and removed that item from the budget draft.

From a schedule standpoint, staff reminded the council that water and sewer rates would be considered July 28, the proposed budget would be posted Aug. 10 and the city would advertise public hearings in advance of adoption.

Council members were invited to submit candidate peer cities for comparative analysis and to follow up with staff with questions by email.