Iola City Council members will be asked to approve a budget Monday that spends roughly $1.8 million more than it will generate in revenues in 2020.
Rather than enduring spending cuts, which would likely result in service impacts, City Administrator Sid Fleming said in his budget message, that he recommends the Council use unencumbered reserves to cover the anticipated shortfall.
The proposed spending plan includes a 2.5 percent cost-of-living pay increase to each employee, other merit increases to those not already at the top of their respective pay scale, and a 12.5 percent increase in health insurance premiums.