<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vApMt_1H1znckh00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vApMt_1H1znckh00" width="1200" height="600" >EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - The Eau Claire City Council has approved its 2027 budget after addressing a projected $2.2 million shortfall by leaving 10 city positions vacant.City officials say the budget maintains existing services, but rising costs and limited state funding continue to put pressure on the city’s finances.“Every year the city operating budget is a challenge,” City Council President Jeremy Gragert said.Finance Director Kitzie Winters said staffing makes up more than 60% of the city’s budget because of the services employees provide. She said health insurance costs have increased 15% in each of the past two years and are a $17 million budget item.Gragert said the city wants to provide competitive pay and health insurance while retaining employees.The city held 10 positions open across several departments, including community services, parks maintenance and finance, to help balance the budget. Gragert said the vacancies include positions opened by retirements and that no current employees were laid off as a result.Winters said staff members continue to provide services, but with fewer resources.“We are doing a little bit less with less resources. But we’re still able to maintain,” she said.Gragert said the city hopes residents will not notice a decline in services, but acknowledged it is possible when positions remain unfilled. He cited street maintenance and snowplowing among the services officials will be watching.“We’re in good shape for 2027 as well as 2028 because we’re making some tough decisions right now,” he said.<h2>Officials seek changes to state funding</h2>Eau Claire is estimated to receive $9.9 million of shared revenue in 2027, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Shared revenue is state funding distributed to local governments to help pay for services.Winters said state funding accounted for more than 30% of the city’s budget in 1995 but now covers less than 10%. She said the shared revenue system does not account for population growth or inflation, making it harder for growing communities to keep up with costs.“It’s been described as a lack of formula or a broken formula,” Winters said.Wisconsin’s 2023 Act 12 increased shared revenue funding and created supplemental aid for local governments. Winters said the law helped Eau Claire, but she would like to see a longer-term update to the way funding is distributed.Gragert said he hopes state leaders will provide more shared revenue and give communities more options to raise money locally. He also encouraged residents to contact their state legislators and the governor’s office about returning more tax dollars to communities.The city’s 2027 budget takes effect Jan. 1.</div></body>

Block Source: WEAU-TV 13

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - The Eau Claire City Council has approved its 2027 budget after addressing a projected $2.2 million shortfall by leaving 10 city positions vacant. City officials say the budget maintains existing services, but rising costs and limited state funding continue to put pressure on the city’s finances.

Eau Claire approves 2027 budget, while pushing for shared revenue reform

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - The Eau Claire City Council has approved its 2027 budget after addressing a projected $2.2 million shortfall by leaving 10 city p

Eau Claire approves 2027 budget, while pushing for shared revenue reform

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